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Starch synthesis in Arabidopsis. Granule synthesis, composition, and structure.

The aim of this work was to characterize starch synthesis, composition, and granule structure in Arabidopsis leaves. First, the potential role of starch-degrading enzymes during starch accumulation was investigated. To discover whether simultaneous synthesis and degradation of starch occurred during net accumulation, starch was labeled by supplying (14)CO(2) to intact, photosynthesizing plants. Release of this label from starch was monitored during a chase period in air, using different light intensities to vary the net rate of starch synthesis. No release of label was detected unless there was net degradation of starch during the chase. Similar experiments were performed on a mutant line (dbe1) that accumulates the soluble polysaccharide, phytoglycogen. Label was not released from phytoglycogen during the chase indicating that, even when in a soluble form, glucan is not appreciably degraded during accumulation. Second, the effect on starch composition of growth conditions and mutations causing starch accumulation was studied. An increase in starch content correlated with an increased amylose content of the starch and with an increase in the ratio of granule-bound starch synthase to soluble starch synthase activity. Third, the structural organization and morphology of Arabidopsis starch granules was studied. The starch granules were birefringent, indicating a radial organization of the polymers, and x-ray scatter analyses revealed that granules contained alternating crystalline and amorphous lamellae with a periodicity of 9 nm. Granules from the wild type and the high-starch mutant sex1 were flattened and discoid, whereas those of the high-starch mutant sex4 were larger and more rounded. These larger granules contained "growth rings" with a periodicity of 200 to 300 nm. We conclude that leaf starch is synthesized without appreciable turnover and comprises similar polymers and contains similar levels of molecular organization to storage starches, making Arabidopsis an excellent model system for studying granule biosynthesis.

Amylopectin↗

Effect of heat-moisture treatment on the structure and physicochemical properties of cereal, legume, and tuber starches.

Native wheat, oat, lentil, yam, and potato starches were heat treated at 100 degrees C for 16 h at moisture contents between 10 and 30%. The heat treatment did not change granule size and shape. In oat starch, granules were less compactly packed after heat treatment. The X-ray diffraction intensities increased in wheat, oat, and lentil starches, but decreased in potato and yam. The X-ray patterns of wheat and oat starches remained unchanged, while those of lentil, potato, and yam starches became more cereal-like. In all starches, the swelling factor and amylose leaching decreased, being more pronounced in potato. Heat treatment induced complex formation between amylose and native lipids. Differential scanning calorimetry of the heat-treated samples showed a broadening of the gelatinization-temperature range and a shifting of the endothermal transition towards higher temperatures. These changes were more pronounced in potato starch. The gelatinization enthalpy of wheat, oat, and lentil starches remained unchanged, but those of potato and yam starches decreased on heat treatment. Heat treatment increased the 95 degrees C viscosity of wheat starch, but decreased those of oat lentil, potato, and yam starches. In all starches, thermal and shear stability increased after heat treatment. Acid hydrolysis decreased on heat treatment of wheat and lentil starches, but increased in oat, potato, and yam starches. However, in potato and yam starches, the foregoing trend was evident only during the first seven days of hydrolysis. Thereafter, acid hydrolysis was more pronounced in native than in heat-treated starches. The susceptibility towards hydrolysis by porcine pancreatic alpha amylase decreased on heat treatment of wheat and lentil starches, whereas increases were observed for oat, potato, and yam starches. The results indicated that the extent of starch-chain associations within the amorphous regions and the degree of crystalline order are altered during heat-moisture treatment. The magnitude of these changes were found to be dependent upon the moisture content during heat treatment and on the starch source.

Amylose↗

Starch digestion rate in the small intestine of broiler chickens differs among feedstuffs.

Dietary starch is the major energy source for broiler chickens, and knowledge about its digestive behavior can be important. In a digestibility trial with 720 broiler chickens, site, rate and extent of starch digestion were measured for 12 feedstuffs. Starch digestion was determined using the slaughter technique, which involves removal of the small intestine from the recently killed chicken, with manual collection of the contents. Starch digestion coefficients were calculated from remaining starch in three segments of the small intestine and in excreta. Mean retention time in four segments of the small intestine was measured. This enabled calculations for starch digestion rate (k(d)). Ileal starch digestibility varied from 33% (potato starch) to 99% (tapioca). Retention time for digesta in the postduodenal small intestine varied from 136 min (barley diet) to 182 min (potato diet). On the basis of starch digestion rates, a distinction was made between slowly digestible starch (k(d) < 1 h(-1)), gradually digestible starch (k(d):1-2 h(-1)) and rapidly digestible starch (k(d) > 2 h(-1)). Starch from common beans was digested most slowly (k(d): 0.5 h(-1)), and starch from tapioca was digested most rapidly (k(d): 4.3 h(-1)). Starch digestion rates of potato starch and legume seeds were lower than those of cereal grains and tapioca. Degradation of starch entering the hind gut of the birds did not occur. Milling of corn affected rate, but not the extent of starch digestion. We concluded that site of starch digestion within the small intestine is not an accurate indicator for starch digestion rate.

Absorption↗

Effects of pigeon pea and plantain starches on the compressional, mechanical, and disintegration properties of paracetamol tablets.

A study has been made of the effects of pigeon pea starch obtained from the plant Cajanus cajan (L) Millisp. (family Fabaceae) and plantain starch obtained from the unripe fruit of Musa paradisiaca L. (family Musaceae) on the compressional, mechanical, and disintegration properties of paracetamol tablets in comparison with official corn starch BP. Analysis of compressional properties was done by using density measurements, and the Heckel and Kawakita equations, whereas the mechanical properties of the tablets were evaluated by using tensile strength (T--a measure of bond strength) and brittle fracture index (BFI--a measure of lamination tendency). The ranking for the mean yield pressure, P(y), for the formulations containing the different starches was generally corn < pigeon pea < plantain starch while the ranking for P(k), an inverse measure of the amount of plasticity, was pigeon pea < plantain < corn starch, which indicated that formulations containing corn starch generally exhibited the fastest onset of plastic deformation, whereas those formulations containing pigeon pea starch exhibited the highest amount of plastic deformation during tableting. The tensile strength of the tablets increased with increase in concentration of the starches while the Brittle Fracture Index decreased. The ranking for T was pigeon pea > plantain > corn starch while the ranking for BFI was corn > plantain > pigeon pea starch. The bonding capacity of the formulations was in general agreement with the tensile strength results. The disintegration time (DT) of the formulation increased with concentration of plantain and corn starches but decreased with concentration of pigeon pea starch. The general ranking of DT values was plantain < pigeon pea < corn starch. Notably, formulations containing pigeon pea starch exhibited the highest bond strength and lowest brittleness, suggesting the usefulness of pigeon pea starch in producing strong tablets with minimal lamination tendency. Plantain starch, on the other hand, would be more useful where faster disintegration of tablet is desired. The results show that the starches could be useful in various formulations depending on the intended use of the tablets with the implication that the experimental starches can be developed for commercial purposes.

Acetaminophen↗

A quantitative assessment of the importance of barley seed alpha-amylase, beta-amylase, debranching enzyme, and alpha-glucosidase in starch degradation.

Extracts of germinated barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds of 41 different genotypes were analyzed for their activities of alpha-amylase, beta-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, and debranching enzyme and for their abilities to hydrolyze boiled soluble starch, nonboiled soluble starch, and starch granules extracted from barley seeds with water. Linear correlation analysis, used to quantitate the interactions between the seven parameters, revealed that boiled soluble starch was not a good substrate for predicting activities of enzymes functioning in in vivo starch hydrolysis as the extracts' abilities to hydrolyze boiled soluble starch was not correlated with their abilities to hydrolyze native starch granules. Activities of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase were positively and significantly correlated with the seed extracts' abilities to hydrolyze all three starches. beta-Amylase was only significantly correlated with hydrolysis of boiled soluble starch. No significant correlations existed between debranching enzyme activity and hydrolysis of any of the three starches. Interactions between the four enzymes as they functioned together to hydrolyze the three types of starch were evaluated by path coefficient analysis. alpha-Amylase contributed to hydrolyses of all three starches primarily by its direct effect (noninteractive component). This direct contribution increased as the substrate progressed from the completely artificial boiled soluble starch, to the most physiologically significant substrate, native starch granules. alpha-Glucosidase contributed to the hydrolysis of boiled soluble starch primarily by its direct effect (noninteractive) yet contributed to starch granule hydrolysis primarily via its interaction with alpha-amylase (indirect effect). The contribution of beta-amylase to hydrolysis of boiled soluble starch was direct and it did not contribute significantly to hydrolysis of native starch granules.

Glucosidases↗

Effect of cellulose on the digestibility of high starch versus high fat diets in dogs.

The effects of cellulose added in three levels (7, 15 and 20% crude fibre in dry matter) to three different basal diets (a high fat diet, a high starch diet with raw starch and a high starch diet with cooked starch) on apparent digestibility were investigated in eight adult dogs. Cellulose had little effect on the apparent digestibility of fat. In the high fat diet there was no significant decrease, not even at the highest cellulose level (98.3% compared with 98.1% in the basal high fat diet). In the cooked starch diets, fat digestibility decreased from 95.1% in the basal cooked starch diet to 93.8% at the highest cellulose level. In the raw starch diets, digestibility did not decrease with increasing cellulose levels. The apparent digestibility of crude protein was considerably decreased by cellulose in all diets. Starch also decreased protein digestibility and the effects of cellulose and starch appeared to be additive (high fat diet decrease of protein digestibility from 86.7 to 83.5%, cooked starch from 81.6 to 78.6%, raw starch from 79.0 to 70.8%, basal diets to highest cellulose levels, respectively). The apparent digestibility of nitrogen-free extract decreased from 93.9% in the basal cooked starch diet to 84.5% at the highest cellulose level. The figures for the raw starch diets were similar (decrease from 93.4 to 85.9%). Cellulose decreased the apparent digestibility of energy in all diets. This decrease was more marked in the high starch diets (cooked starch decrease from 89.1 to 69.6%, raw starch from 88.9 to 70.2%) than in the high fat diet (decrease from 90.1 to 76.1%). An evaluation of previous data showed that in general fibre has a higher impact on the apparent digestibility of energy in high carbohydrate diets than in low carbohydrate diets. The apparent digestibility of potassium, sodium and chloride was impaired by cellulose. The apparent digestibility of these minerals tended to be lower in the high starch diets, especially in the raw starch diet, and the effect of cellulose was usually more marked in those diets.

Animal Feed↗

Comparisons of effects of raw and gelatinized sago and tapioca starches on serum and liver lipid concentrations in rats.

Effects of raw and gelatinized sago and tapioca starches on serum and liver lipid concentrations were compared in rats fed a cholesterol-enriched diet. Total serum cholesterol and the atherogenic index in the rats fed raw sago starch showed a statistically significant decrease and tendency to decrease, respectively, when compared with those of rats fed raw tapioca starch. Both the serum total cholesterol and atherogenic index in the rats fed gelatinized sago starch showed a tendency to decrease when compared with those of rats fed gelatinized tapioca starch. Serum triacylglycerol concentrations in the rats fed raw sago starch were significantly lower than those in the rats fed raw tapioca starch. The apparent digestibility of raw sago starch was lower than that of tapioca starch. The oval shapes of undigested raw sago starch granules collected from feces remained almost unchanged in shape, but had some holes and scrapes on their surfaces. The shape surfaces of undigested raw tapioca starch collapsed, thereby not retaining their original granule shapes. On the other hand, the amylose contents in the raw and gelatinized sago starches were higher than those in the raw and gelatinized tapioca starches. These results suggested that a decrease or a tendency to decrease in serum total cholesterol levels and atherogenic indexes in raw or gelatinized sago starch-fed rats compared to those of raw or gelatinized tapioca starch-fed rats, and a decrease in serum triacylglycerol concentrations in raw sago starch-fed rats compared to those of raw tapioca starch-fed rats, were due to the lower digestibility and higher amylose content of sago starch.

Amylases↗

Preference for flavored wheat straw by lambs conditioned with intraruminal infusions of starch administered at different times after straw ingestion.

We hypothesized that the development and extinction of preferences for flavored foods paired with infusions of starch depends on the delay between food ingestion and starch administration and on the frequency of starch administration. To test this hypothesis, we divided 24 lambs into three groups of 8 lambs/group. On even days, half of the lambs were offered chopped wheat straw flavored with a distinctive flavor, whereas the other half received straw with a different flavor. Starch (12% of the daily DE required by the lambs) was infused into the rumen immediately after lambs began to eat straw in Group 1 (150 g starch), immediately after lambs began to eat straw (75 g) and 30 min later (75 g) in Group 2, and when straw refusals were collected 1 h after lambs began to eat straw in Group 3 (150 g). On odd days, the flavors were switched and infusions of starch were replaced with water. After 8 d of conditioning, starch infusions were suspended, and lambs were offered a choice of wheat straw with the two distinctive flavors. All lambs acquired strong preferences for flavored straw paired with starch (P< .001), but the delay between straw ingestion and starch infusion affected preferences (P<.05). Lambs that received starch 1 h after beginning to eat straw (Group 3) had lower preferences than lambs that received starch immediately after beginning to eat straw (Groups 1 and 2). Lambs that received two starch infusions (Group 2) did not show higher preferences for flavored straw than lambs that received only one starch infusion immediately after beginning to eat (Group 1). Lambs in our study retained preferences for at least 17 d when eating straw was no longer reinforced with starch (P<.001). However, preferences were less persistent for lambs that received starch immediately after beginning to eat straw (Group 1) than for lambs that received starch in two pulses (Group 2) or lambs that received starch 1 h after beginning to eat straw (Group 3). Collectively, our results support the hypothesis that the delay between food ingestion and starch administration affects food preferences of lambs. These findings suggest that manipulating the chemical characteristics of foods, which affects the kinetics of forage degradation in the rumen, can increase food preferences in ruminants.

Animal Feed↗

Acetylated, propionylated or butyrylated starches raise large bowel short-chain fatty acids preferentially when fed to rats.

Maize starch was acylated with acetic, propionic or butyric anhydride to produce the corresponding acylated starch. In the first experiment, butyrylated starch at a degree of substitution (DS) of 0.25 (i.e., 1 acyl unit per 4 glucosyl units) was fed to rats for 3 d. Cecal and distal colonic SCFA concentrations were 170 and 78% higher, respectively, in rats fed the butyrylated starch. However, the greatest increase was in butyrate with corresponding increases of 460 and 212%. Subsequently, acetylated, propionylated or butyrylated starches with DS of approximately 0.18 were prepared on a larger scale. Body weight gain did not differ between rats fed these acylated starches or a control starch for 14 d. Large bowel pH was significantly lower and digesta mass significantly higher throughout the large bowel in rats fed the acylated starches. Cecal + distal colonic starch averaged 12 mg in rats fed the control starch and 103, 134 and 135 (pooled SEM = 6) mg in rats fed acetylated, propionylated or butyrylated starch, respectively. Large bowel SCFA concentrations and pools were significantly higher in rats fed the three acylated starches and were disproportionately greater in the SCFA that had been esterified to the starch. In the cecum, acetate, propionate and butyrate pools were 280, 690 and 1060% higher, respectively, in rats fed the corresponding acylated starch than in those fed the control diet. In the distal colon, the corresponding increases were 320, 940 and 1370%. These data indicate that acylated starches are resistant starch (RS) and raise large bowel SCFA, apparently through bacterial release of the esterified fatty acid and fermentation of the residual starch.

Acetates↗

13CO2 breath test to measure the hydrolysis of various starch formulations in healthy subjects.

13CO2 starch breath test was used to study the effect of physicochemical characteristics of starch digestion. As starch is hydrolysed to glucose, which is subsequently oxidised to CO2, differences in 13CO2 excretion after ingestion of different starch products must be caused by differences in hydrolysis rate. To study the effect of the degree of chain branching, waxy starch, containing 98% amylopectin, was compared with high amylose starch, containing 30% amylopectin, and normal crystalline starch, containing 74% amylopectin. The effect of the extent of gelatinisation was studied by comparing extruded starch and crystalline starch. Finally, the possible inhibitory effect of adding wheat fibre to extruded starch on the hydrolysis rate was studied. The 13CO2 excretion from two to four hours after intake of crystalline starch was significantly lower than that of extruded starch. Waxy starch was hydrolysed much faster than high amylose starch, but there was no significant difference between waxy starch and normal crystalline starch. Addition of wheat fibre did not influence the hydrolysis rate. The 13CO2 starch breath test is an attractive test for the study of factors affecting carbohydrate assimilation.

Adult↗

Grain processing effects on starch utilization by ruminants.

Starch utilization may be markedly enhanced by proper grain processing; however, extent of improvement is primarily dependent upon the ruminant species, grain source and method of processing. Grain processing has less impact on starch digestion by sheep than cattle. The magnitude of improvement is inverse to the starch digestion values for nonprocessed (or minimally processed) grains. Utilization of sorghum grain starch is improved most by extensive processing, and then corn, with little improvement in barley starch digestion. Studies comparing processing effects on barley or wheat starch utilization by cattle were not found. Steam-flaking consistently improves digestibility of starch by cattle fed corn- or sorghum grain-based diets over whole, ground or dry-rolled processes. Other extensive processing methods appear to enhance starch digestibility of corn and sorghum grain to a similar extent as steam-flaking, but comparative data are too limited to quantitate adequately effects of these methods. This improvement in starch utilization appears to be the primary reason for enhanced feed conversion of cattle fed diets high in these processed grains. The major site of cereal grain starch digestion is usually the rumen. Processing increases microbial degradation of starch in the rumen and decreases amounts of starch digested post-ruminally. Rates of in vitro amylolytic attack of starch in cereal grains by both ruminal microbial and pancreatic enzyme sources are improved by processing methods employing proper combinations of moisture, heat and pressure. In vitro and in situ studies suggest that much of the increase in ruminal starch fermentation with steam-flaking is due to changes in starch granular structure, which produces additive effects beyond those of decreasing particle size. Thus, efficiency of ruminal starch fermentation by cattle appears to be improved by proper processing of corn and sorghum grain. Processing and grain source studies both suggest that maximal total tract starch digestibility is positively related to the extent of digestion in the rumen.

Animal Feed↗

Effects of corn grain conservation method on ruminal digestion kinetics for lactating dairy cows at two dietary starch concentrations.

Effects of conservation method of corn grain and dietary starch concentration on ruminal digestion kinetics were evaluated. Eight ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows (55 +/- 15.9 days in milk; mean +/- SD) were used in a duplicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Experimental diets contained either ground high moisture corn (HM) or dry ground corn (DG) at two dietary starch concentrations (32 vs. 21%). Mean particle size and dry-matter concentration of corn grain were 1,863 microm and 63.2%, and 885 microm and 89.7%, for HM and DG, respectively. Starch digestibility in the rumen was greater for HM treatments compared with DG treatments, but starch digestibility in the total tract was not affected by conservation method of corn grain because of compensatory digestion in the intestines. The difference in ruminal starch digestibility between HM and DG treatment was greater for high-starch diets (71.1 vs. 46.9%) compared with low-starch diets (58.5 vs. 45.9%). This interaction is attributed to a greater difference in first-order digestion rate of starch between HM and DG treatment in high-starch diets (28.2 vs. 14.6%/h) compared with low-starch diets (16.8 vs. 12.2%/h). This suggests that ruminal starch digestion is a second-order reaction limited by enzyme activities as well as substrate availability; ruminal contents of cows fed low-starch diets may have insufficient amylolytic activity for maximal starch digestion when readily fermentable starch is available. Rate of neutral detergent fiber digestion in the rumen was slower for high-starch diets and HM treatments compared with low-starch diets and DG treatments, respectively. Effects of corn grain conservation method on ruminal digestion kinetics are greatly altered by starch concentration of diets.

Amylases↗

In vitro digestibility of banana starch cookies.

Banana starch was isolated and used for preparation of two types of cookies. Chemical composition and digestibility tests were carried out on banana starch and the food products, and these results were compared with corn starch. Ash, protein, and fat levels in banana starch were higher than in corn starch. The high ash amount in banana starch could be due to the potassium content present in this fruit. Proximal analysis was similar between products prepared with banana starch and those based on corn starch. The available starch content of the banana starch preparation was 60% (dmb). The cookies had lower available starch than the starches while banana starch had lower susceptibility to the in vitro alpha-amylolysis reaction. Banana starch and its products had higher resistant starch levels than those made with corn starch.

Biological Availability↗

Chemical composition, mineral profile, and functional properties of Canna (Canna edulis) and Arrowroot (Maranta spp.) starches.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate some chemical and mineral characteristics and functional and rheological properties of Canna and Arrowroot starches produced in the Venezuelan Andes. Canna starch showed a higher (P < 0.05) moisture, ash, and crude protein content than arrowroot starch, while crude fiber, crude fat, and amylose content of this starch were higher (P < 0.05). Starches of both rhizomes own phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, and zinc in their composition. Phosphorus, sodium, and potassium are the higher in both starches. Water absorption, swelling power, and solubility values revealed weak bonding forces in Canna starch granules; this explained the lower gelatinization temperature and the substantial viscosity development of Canna starch during heating. Arrowroot starch showed a higher gelatinization temperature measure by DSC, than Canna starch and exhibited a lower value of DeltaH. Both starches show negative syneresis. The apparent viscosity of Canna starch was higher (P < 0.05) than the Arrowroot starch values. The size (wide and large) of Canna starch granules was higher than arrowroot starch. From the previous results, it can be concluded that Canna and Arrowroot starches could become interesting alternatives for food developers, depending on their characteristics and functional properties.

Dietary Fiber↗

Physical properties of octenyl succinic anhydride modified rice, wheat, and potato starches.

The physical properties of octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) starches prepared from rice, wheat, and potato starches were studied. Rice and wheat OSA starches had significantly higher peak viscosity (PV), hot paste viscosity (HPV), and cool paste viscosity (CPV), but potato OSA starch had only significantly higher CPV, relative to the native starch. The gel hardness was higher with lower degree of substitution (DS) but lower with higher DS OSA compared to native starch. The swelling volumes (SV) of rice and wheat OSA starches were significantly higher compared to native starch, but the SV of potato OSA starch was slightly lower at high DS. The gelatinization temperature (GT) of rice OSA starches was sharply lower at low DS; for wheat OSA starch it was slightly lower even at high DS, but potato OSA starches had higher GT than the native starch. The enthalpy of all the OSA starches decreased gradually with increased DS. This study showed that the magnitude of changes in physical properties of OSA-modified starches depends not only on their DS but also on the botanical origin of the native starches.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Evaluation of Preflo modified starches as new direct compression excipients. I. Tabletting characteristics.

This investigation evaluated some new (Preflo) and existing commercially available (Starch 1500, Star Tab) modified starches as direct compression excipients. Preflo corn starches (CH-10, CH-20, CH-30) and Preflo potato starches (P-250, PI-10, PJ-20) were evaluated and compared with respect to their pharmaceutical properties such as particle size, density, flowability, friability, and compression properties. Preflo starches showed a high bulk density and good flowability. Preflo corn starches and Star Tab formed harder tablets than Preflo potato starches and Starch 1500. Data from the Athy-Heckel plots indicated that the Preflo starches are soft materials and, unlike Starch 1500, undergo plastic deformation. Tablets containing acetaminophen were also compressed with the starches and disintegration and dissolution studies were conducted. Starch 1500 tablets disintegrated in 3.5 min, whereas none of the Preflo starch tablets disintegrated in 30 min. While complete acetaminophen release occurred in 25 min from Starch 1500 tablets, the drug dissolution time from Preflo starch tablets varied from 4 to 12 hr, indicating a potential use for some of these starches in solid oral modified-release dosage forms.

Acetaminophen↗

Regulation of starch accumulation by granule-associated plant 14-3-3 proteins.

In higher plants the production of starch is orchestrated by chloroplast-localized biosynthetic enzymes, namely starch synthases, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, and starch branching and debranching enzymes. Diurnal regulation of these enzymes, as well as starch-degrading enzymes, influences both the levels and composition of starch, and is dependent in some instances upon phosphorylation-linked regulation. The phosphoserine/threonine-binding 14-3-3 proteins participate in environmentally responsive phosphorylation-related regulatory functions in plants, and as such are potentially involved in starch regulation. We report here that reduction of the epsilon subgroup of Arabidopsis 14-3-3 proteins by antisense technology resulted in a 2- to 4-fold increase in leaf starch accumulation. Dark-governed starch breakdown was unaffected in these "antisense plants," indicating an unaltered starch-degradation pathway and suggesting a role for 14-3-3 proteins in regulation of starch synthesis. Absorption spectra and gelatinization properties indicate that the starch from the antisense plants has an altered branched glucan composition. Biochemical characterization of protease-treated starch granules from both Arabidopsis leaves and maize endosperm showed that 14-3-3 proteins are internal intrinsic granule proteins. These data suggest a direct role for 14-3-3 proteins in starch accumulation. The starch synthase III family is a possible target for 14-3-3 protein regulation because, uniquely among plastid-localized starch metabolic enzymes, all members of the family contain the conserved 14-3-3 protein phosphoserine/threonine-binding consensus motif. This possibility is strengthened by immunocapture using antibodies to DU1, a maize starch synthase III family member, and direct interaction with biotinylated 14-3-3 protein, both of which demonstrated an association between 14-3-3 proteins and DU1 or DU1-like proteins.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

Both raw and retrograded starch decrease serum triacylglycerol concentration and fat accretion in the rat.

Male Wistar rats were meal-fed on diets containing various amounts of resistant starch in the form of raw starch (either amylomaize starch, potato starch or modified high-amylose starch) or retrograded starch (prepared from each of the starches) for 6 weeks. Two diets containing normal maize starch were fed as diets poor in resistant starch. Energy absorption (energy consumption minus faecal energy loss), growth, weight of the epididymal fat pads, serum total cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations and a number of intestinal and faecal variables were determined. The resistant starches affected all the variables determined except the serum total cholesterol concentration. Relationships were found between energy absorption and both growth and the weight of the fat pads, and between the weight of the fat pads and both the serum triacylglycerol concentration and the serum total cholesterol concentration. No clear differences between the effects of the two types of resistant starch (raw starch v. retrograded starch) were found except that raw potato starch hardly stimulated H2 excretion and led to lower amounts of propionic and butyric acids in the caecal contents than the other starches. The results suggest that dietary resistant starch reduces energy absorption leading to less abdominal depot fat and lower serum triacylglycerol concentrations.

Adipose Tissue↗