Impact of Micronization on Rapidly Digestible, Slowly Digestible, and Resistant Starch Concentrations in Normal, High-Amylose, and Waxy Barley

Abstract

This study determined the effect of micronization (high intensity infrared heating) on the concentrations of rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS), and resistant starch (RS) in normal barley (NB), high-amylose barley (HAB), and waxy barley (WB). The gelatinized starch contents and the thermal properties of the micronized samples also were determined. Samples of each barley type were tempered to each of three moisture contents (approximately 17, 31, or 41%), and then each tempered sample was micronized to each of three surface temperatures (100, 120, or 140 degrees C). Micronized barley samples were substantially lower in RS and in SDS and, therefore, higher in RDS than corresponding unprocessed samples. In general, higher concentrations of RDS and of gelatinized starch were associated with higher initial moisture contents and higher surface temperatures. The lowest concentrations of RS were observed in micronized WB samples. Similar concentrations of RS were observed in corresponding NB and HAB samples. Micronization resulted in slight increases in the onset (To), peak (Tp), and completion (Tc) gelatinization temperatures and in substantial reductions in the gelatinization enthalpy (DeltaH), the latter reflecting the levels of gelatinized starch in micronized samples, particularly in samples micronized at higher moisture contents and to higher surface temperatures. Endothermic transitions were evident only in samples tempered to 17% moisture or 31% moisture (surface temperature of 100 degrees C only).