Browsing by Author "Goh, Kelvin Kim Tha"
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- ItemCharacterisation of de-structured starch and its interactions in whey protein isolate gels : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Food Technology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2022) Ang, Cai LingStarch serves as an important additive to enhance the physico-chemical properties of many food products. With the increased pursuit of natural products, there is an increasing demand for “clean-label” starches. In this study, waxy potato starch was physically-modified at elevated temperatures of 120–150 °C for 30 min at 300 rpm, in a pressurised reactor. The treatment converted native starch granules into their macromolecular chains (denoted as de-structured waxy potato starch, DWPS). This doctoral thesis presents the: (i) method of modifying starch (i.e., the de-structuring process), (ii) the mechanism of starch de-structuring, (iii) the rheological changes in DWPS samples and the shear-thickening mechanism, and (iv) the interactions of these DWPS ingredients with whey protein isolate (WPI) in a protein-based gel system, at different pH and ionic strength. The molar mass (Mᵥᵥ), particle size, rheological properties, degree of branching (DB) and side-chain length distribution of DWPS samples were characterised to elucidate the starch de-structuring mechanism. DWPS treated at 120 °C DWPS showed similar Mᵥᵥ (~3.6 × 10⁸ Da) as its native form (~3.7 × 10⁸ Da) indicating that the treatment at 120 °C resulted in the disassembly of starch granules into their macromolecular chains. Reduction in viscosity, Mᵥᵥ and particle size was observed with an increase in temperature from 120 to 150 °C, suggesting a cleavage in amylopectin chains. The DB and side-chain distribution data suggest that the reduction in Mᵥᵥ is likely due to the cleavage at α-1,4 linkages near the middle of the main amylopectin backbone. Particle size analysis by laser diffraction measurements revealed the presence of large fragment particles (> 1 µm) in DWPS samples, indicating that the starch de-structuring process into its macromolecules was incomplete even at 150 °C for 30 min. The DWPS (5% w/w) samples were found to exhibit a wide range of rheological properties—Newtonian, shear-thinning, shear-thickening and anti-thixotropy behaviours—depending on their treatment temperature (120–150 °C). In particular, 120 °C DWPS exhibited interesting shear-thickening, anti-thixotropy and shear-induced gelation. These rheological properties are different from the shear-thinning and thixotropy behaviours observed in most conventionally gelatinised waxy potato starches treated at 95 °C. The complex shear-induced structures of 120 °C DWPS were attributed to a two-step process: (i) upon shear at the critical shear rate (~10–20 s⁻¹), the shear stress caused a size reduction in the starch fragments and (ii) the increased number of small fragments together with the amylopectin chains in very close proximity could lead to the formation of a complex network probably consisting of amylopectin chains and a large number of fragments (2–20 μm). Shear thickening properties were attributed largely to these soft fragment particles colliding and sliding past each other during shear. The data from this study has also shown that the hydrogen bonding, electrostatic, hydrophobic interactions, or the combination of these interactions did not cause the shear-thickening behaviour. The influence of 4% w/w DWPS on 13% w/w WPI gels was studied by characterising the phase stability of the liquid mixtures, and mechanical properties, microstructure, and water-immersion stability of fine-stranded polymeric and coarse-stranded particulate protein gels at pH 7 and pH 5, respectively. At neutral pH, synergistic gel hardness of WPI was obtained with the incorporation of 140 °C DWPS. The increased gel strength was attributed to the enhanced density of a very fine-stranded gel network. The ability of the gel to retain its shape when immersed in water for 40 h was most noticeable for the composite gels containing either gelatinised starch or DWPS samples (swollen gels but with intact shape). In contrast, pure WPI gel and composite gel containing maltodextrin turned into very weak fluid-like and disintegrated gels, respectively. At pH 5, WPI formed particulate gels. The addition of gelatinised starch or DWPS weakened the particulate protein gels, likely due to phase separation and interrupted protein network with starch polymers acting as inactive fillers. The effects of NaCl and CaCl₂ (i.e., type of salts and ionic strength) on the mechanical and microstructural properties of composite gels containing 13% w/w WPI and 4% w/w 140 °C DWPS were also evaluated. Thermodynamic incompatibility between WPI and 140 °C DWPS was observed upon the addition of NaCl (~75 mM) or CaCl₂ (10–75 mM). The combined effects of such thermodynamic incompatibility with the changes in protein connectivity induced by varied ionic strength led to the formation of distinctive gel structures (inhomogeneous self-supporting gels with a liquid centre and weak gels with paste-like consistency) that were different from thermodynamic compatible homogeneous self-supporting gels (pure WPI and WPI + maltodextrin gels). At ≥ 250 mM NaCl, instead of a paste-like texture, a recovered soft self-supporting gel structure was observed when using 140 °C DWPS. The ability to generate a range of textures in WPI gelation-based foods by using 140 °C DWPS under different ionic conditions, is a feasible strategy for structuring high-protein foods for dysphagia—aimed to be either thickened fluids or soft solids. Additionally, this acquired knowledge is also relevant when formulating food gels for 3-D printing. The desirable rheological properties of DWPS samples and their ability to alter WPI gel structure signify the potential of DWPS as a clean-label ingredient to structure foods of specific needs (e.g., whipping cream for enhanced structure upon shear and high-protein foods for dysphagia sufferers).
- ItemIsolation and characterisation of bacterial exopolysaccharides produced by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus NCFB 2483 and Sphingomonas elodea ATCC 31461 : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Food Technology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2004) Goh, Kelvin Kim ThaThe aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of a non-gelling exopolysaccharide (EPS) obtained from Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus NCFB 2483 and a gelling EPS obtained from Sphingomonas elodea ATCC 31461 (31461). The EPSs were isolated from the two bacterial strains grown in milk permeate-based media. They were purified and then characterised using light scattering and viscometric techniques. A greater emphasis of this research was placed on 2483 EPS since its physical characteristics have not been reported to date. In the case of 31461 EPS. a model for gelation of the sodium gellan was proposed based on rheological and light scattering measurements. The rheological properties of the two EPSs were also compared with several commercial polysaccharides. Microscopy examination of 2483 EPS was carried out using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In CLSM, the lectin SBA (from Glycine max) Alexa Fluor 488 conjugate was used to stain the EPS since it has affinity for galactopyranosyl residues present in 2483 EPS. The CLSM micrographs showed a random distribution of EPS aggregates in the culture medium. At high magnification, the SEM micrographs showed web-like EPS structures. These structures were formed during the critical point drying process, when the EPS, which filled the interstices and channels of the protein aggregates, dehydrated. The 2483 EPS aggregates were found to be stable at neutral or low pH (~3.9) but were disrupted at high pH (pH 8-10). Procedures commonly used to quantify EPS from culture medium were found to be unreliable. In the development of an improved EPS assay, each of the processing steps was examined. Key improvements included the use of Flavourzyme for protein hydrolysis; optimising ethanol concentration to prevent lactose crystallisation yet allowing complete EPS precipitation; and a suitable centrifugation regime to minimise EPS loss. The improved EPS assay gave reproducible results (5% coefficient of variation). The isolation of 2483 EPS from milk media proved to be a difficult task because of interference from non-EPS components. An effective and simple approach allowing maximum EPS recovery involved the use of a hydrolysed milk medium which was ultrafiltered (UF) to remove molecular species larger than 2.5 x 105 Da. The UF permeate was suitable for the growth of 2483 with an EPS yield of ~400mg/L. Two EPS fractions (namely a soluble and an insoluble fraction) were isolated by ethanol precipitation and the soluble 'ropy' fraction was further purified to achieve ~98% purity. The elemental analysis of the purified fraction revealed the presence of nitrogen (~2.7% w/w). This could be due to the interaction of some peptides (from the growth medium) with the EPS. The polysaccharide composition of the soluble EPS fraction comprised of galactose, glucose, rhamnose and mannose residues (5:1:0.6:0.5). Traces of glucosamine were also found in the fraction. The purified fraction of 2483 EPS was characterised. Using a capillary viscometer, an intrinsic viscosity of ~2013mL/g was determined. The flow curves of the 2483 EPS solutions obtained using a rotational viscometer showed shear-thinning behaviour and an exponent value of ~0.76 (based on the Cross-type model) is typical of random coil polymers. The concentration dependence of the viscosity plot produced gradients of ~1.1 in the dilute domain and ~3.3 in the semi-dilute to concentrated domain. The coil overlap parameters at three concentration domains (c*[ŋ],ccr[ŋ] and c**[ŋ]) were 0.55, 2.86 and 5.67 respectively. The molecular parameters of the 2483 EPS were found via static light scattering measurements to have a weight-average molar mass (Mw.) of ~2 x 106 Da, a z-average root-mean-square radius ((r2g)z1/2) of ~165nm and a low polydispersity index (Mw/Mn ~1.15). The plot of Mw versus (r2g)z1/2 gave a gradient of approximately 0.5, which also suggested that the EPS polymer adopted a random coil conformation. The second part of the research involved gellan gum. Two gellan samples were studied. The first gellan sample was obtained from the fermentation of Sphingomonas elodea ATCC 31461 using milk permeate-based medium (31461). The second sample was a commercial high acyl gellan (LT100). Both gellan samples were converted to their sodium forms (Na-31461 and Na-LT100 gellan) using cation exchange resin and purified. The Na-gellan samples were highly sensitive to changes in Na+ concentrations. From oscillatory measurements, it was found that the complex moduli of the two Na-gellan samples superimposed closely at a specific Na+ concentration. The model for the conformational changes of Na-gellan molecules from a solution to a gel was proposed based on rheological and light scattering data. At very low Na+ concentrations (<19mM, in the case of Na-LT100). Na-gellan molecules were single-stranded (Mw ~2.5 x 10 5 Da) and adopted random coil conformation (exponent value based on the Cross-type model of ~0.76). At a slightly higher Na+ concentration (~19-24mM), Na-gellan molecules formed double-helices which led to a two-fold increase in molecular weight (M w ~5.2 x 105 Da). The double-stranded molecule appeared to be stiffer (exponent value of the Cross-type model ~0.82) and the mechanical spectra (G',G”) demonstrated 'weak ge' characteristics. A further increase in the Na+ concentration (>24mM) resulted in the formation of a gel network. The study also found that at low Na+concentration, both single-stranded and double-stranded Na-gellan molecules had a tendency to form aggregates under zero-shear conditions. The interactions involved in these aggregates were considered weak and transient, according to the Cox-Merz plot and light scattering data.