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Article http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2025.09.001

Effect of Physicochemical Non-thermal Acidic and Alkaline Modifications on the Structural, Vibrational, Pasting, Rheological, and Functional Properties of Achira (Canna indica L.) Isolated Starch

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Brenda L. Correa-Piña¹, María G. Nieves-Hernández¹, Leonardo A. Alonso-Gomez², Oscar Y. Barrón-García^1,3, Margarita I. Hernandez-Urbiola⁴, Mariana Ponce⁵, Ezequiel Hernández-Becerra⁶, Marcela Gaytán-Martínez¹, Mario E. Rodriguez-Garcia^4,*

¹Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Research and Graduate Program in Food Science, School of Chemistry, Cerro de las Campanas S/N. Col. Centro 76010, Qro., México.

²Universidad de los Llanos, Grupo de investigación Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Agroindustrial (CITIA). Km 12 Vía Puerto López. Villavicencio 500001, Meta, Colombia.

³Universidad Tecnológica de Querétaro, División Industrial, Av. Pie de la Cuesta 2501, Nacional, México.

⁴Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Centro de Física Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada, Querétaro, Qro., C. P. 76230, México.

⁵Universidad del Valle de México, Ciencias de la Salud, Campus Querétaro. Blvd. Juriquilla no. 1000 A, Santa Rosa Jauregui, Querétaro, Qro., C.P. 76230, México.

⁶Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Escuela de Bachilleres Plantel Norte., Av Sombrerete s/n Colonia las Américas. CP. 76121 Santiago de Querétaro, Qro., México.

*Corresponding author: Mario E. Rodriguez-Garcia

Published: September 12,2025

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of non-thermal acidic (CH₃COOH) and alkaline (Ca (OH)₂) modifications on the structural, vibrational, pasting, rheological, and functional properties of isolated achira (Canna indica L.) starch. Treatments were conducted at different concentrations (5%, 10%, 20% for acid; 0.15%, 0.20%, 0.30% for alkali) and analyzed by SEM, XRD, DSC, FTIR, and rheological measurements. The results showed that the alkali treatment significantly increased the amylose content (20.20%) due to amylopectin hydrolysis, while the acidic treatment had minimal effects (5.68%). SEM images showed surface damage at high acid concentrations but no visible changes with alkali treatment. XRD confirmed the preservation of nanocrystals with a hexagonal (B-type) structure in all samples. DSC thermograms showed gelatinization temperatures around 72.51°C, with enthalpy changes suggesting structural alterations. Alkali-treated starches showed improved water absorption (WAI) and swelling power (SP), while acidic-treated samples showed higher solubility (WSI). Pasting profiles showed lower viscosity in alkali-treated starches and hydrogel-like behavior in acid-treated samples. These results highlight the potential of non-thermal modifications to tailor the properties of achira starch for food and industrial applications and offer energy-efficient alternatives to conventional methods.

Keywords

Achira; Acidic treatment; Alkaline treatment; Nonthermal process; Nanocrystals

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How to cite this paper

Effect of Physicochemical Non-thermal Acidic and Alkaline Modifications on the Structural, Vibrational, Pasting, Rheological, and Functional Properties of Achira (Canna indica L.) Isolated Starch

How to cite this paper: Brenda L. Correa-Piña, María G. Nieves-Hernández, Leonardo A. Alonso-Gomez, Oscar Y. Barrón-García, Margarita I. Hernandez-Urbiola, Mariana Ponce, Ezequiel Hernández-Becerra, Marcela Gaytán-Martínez, Mario E. Rodriguez-Garcia. (2025) Effect of Physicochemical Non-thermal Acidic and Alkaline Modifications on the Structural, Vibrational, Pasting, Rheological, and Functional Properties of Achira (Canna indica L.) Isolated Starch. International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture, 9(3), 136-149.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2025.09.001