A study on the structural, physicochemical, rheological and thermal properties of high hydrostatic pressurized pearl millet starch

Starch in native form has limited application due to functional and physicochemical characteristics. To overcome these limitations, starch can be modified by non-thermal technologies such as high hydrostatic pressure (HHP). This study investigates high-pressure-induced gelatinization and the effect of this process on the structural, functional, morphological, pasting, thermal, physical and rheological properties of millet starch. The suspension of millet starch and water was pressurized at 200, 400 and 600 MPa for 10, 20 and 30 min to modify the starch in terms of structure, morphology, some physicochemical and rheological properties. Swelling strength and starch solubility decreased as a result of treatment with HHP. All treatments caused to increase in water holding capacity of the starch (from 0.66 % for native starch to 2.19 % for 600 MPa-30 min). Thermal analysis showed a decrease in gelatinization temperature and enthalpy of gelatinization and the pasting properties showed a decrease in the peak viscosity after HHP treatment. In addition, HHP treatment caused to increase in the hydration ability of starch by creating porosity and gaps in the granule surface and increasing the specific surface area. HHP application resulted in an increase in the peak time and pasting temperature and a decrease in breakdown and peak viscosities, final viscosity and setback viscosity in comparison with native starch of millet. The starch sample treated with 600 MPa for 30 min had the lowest syneresis and retrogradation ability. Increasing pressure and the time led to an increase in the elastic nature of the starch samples. According to the results, it is possible to increase usage area of starches in the food industry by improving its technological with HHP. This green physical technology can influence the quality parameters of starch, which can provide benefits for product machining and economic purposes.