Resistant starch from plantain (Macho Musa paradisiaca L.) and banana (Roatan Musa sapientum L.) varieties crosslinked with epichlorohydrin

Abstract

Resistant starch from plantain (Macho Musa paradisiaca L.) and banana (Roatan Musa sapientum L.) varieties was chemically modified by crosslinking using epichlorohydrin (EPI). These modified starches were subjected to in vitro digestibility studies using the Englyst method to determine the content of rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS). The thermal stability of these crosslinked starches was evaluated by gelatinization and retrogradation analyses, and their enthalpies were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Additionally, their functional properties were evaluated. Chemical modification with EPI significantly increased the RS content in both starch varieties compared to that in native starch. The enthalpy and gelatinization temperature decreased in the EPI-modified starches of both varieties, indicating lower thermal stability during the gelatinization process compared to that of native starch. In general, both varieties of crosslinked plantain starch had lower viscosity (0.43 Pa*s) than did native starch (0.58 Pa*s). The results indicates that this starch crosslinked with EPI constitutes an alternative for use in food for people with health problems such as high cholesterol levels or postprandial insulin concentrations.