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PubMed1984

Starch digestibility of foods: a nutritional perspective.

Dietary starch varies greatly in digestibility and its effects on the utilization of other nutrients. The variation appears to be due to differences in starch components and their crystallinity. Processing treatments, storage conditions, chemical modification, and genetic breeding influence the digestibility of starch. Cereal starches are generally more digestible than root/tuber and legume starches. Although cooking often significantly improves the digestibility of poor and intermediately digestible starches, some foods such as bananas with starches of these types are consumed uncooked. The efficient digestion of starch is especially important to specific groups of people such as infants under 6 months of age. Ruminants must also be provided with highly digestible starch to assure maximum production efficiency. Poor digestibility of starch may have negative effects on the utilization of protein and minerals but is likely to have positive effects on the availability of certain vitamins. Decreases in the rate of starch digestion may have therapeutic application. Most clinical studies have reported that starch blockers do not elicit a significant decrease in the digestion of starch in humans. Much remains to be learned, clarified, and understood about starch digestion and its effects on diabetes and weight control.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Effects of amylomaize starch on mineral metabolism in the adult rat: role of the microflora.

The effects of amylomaize starch on rat mineral metabolism were studied. To elucidate the role of bacterial fermentation, the effects of amylomaize starch were compared in germfree (GF) and conventional (CV) rats. A purified diet, sterilized by irradiation and containing either maize starch (M) or amylomaize starch (A), was fed to the rats. Feed intake was similar in all groups of rats except GF rats fed amylomaize starch ad libitum, whose feed intake was higher. One group of GF rats received amylomaize starch in restricted amounts (pair-fed rats). A balance study of energy, nitrogen and minerals (Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) was performed. Apparent absorption of Mg, P, Na, K and Zn (expressed as a percentage of the amount ingested) was lower in GF rats fed amylomaize starch than in GF rats fed maize starch. Since feed intake was higher in GF rats fed amylomaize starch ad libitum than in rats fed maize starch, mineral absorption (expressed in milligrams per day) was not reduced in rats fed ad libitum, whereas it was reduced in pair-fed rats. Mineral retention was similar in GF rats fed ad libitum, but was reduced in pair-fed rats. In CV rats fed amylomaize starch, cecal weight and cecal volatile fatty acids concentration were higher than those in CV rats fed maize starch. Apparent absorption of N and P was lower and that of Ca, Mg and Fe was higher in CV rats fed amylomaize starch than in rats fed maize starch.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absorption↗

PubMed1997

Soluble amylose cornstarch is more digestible than soluble amylopectin potato starch in rats.

In liquid enteral formulations, high molecular weight soluble starches may be able to replace glucose and low molecular weight glucose polymers that have high glycemic indices. Male rats were fed either commercial cornstarch, dextrose, modified soluble potato (70-75% amylopectin) starch, or modified soluble amylomaize-7 (70% amylose) starch for 4 wk. Body weights did not differ among the groups. Food consumption was significantly higher in the two modified starch-fed groups than in the two control groups. Commercial cornstarch, dextrose, modified potato starch and modified amylomaize-7 starch were 100 +/- 0, 100 +/- 0, 69.0 +/- 1.0 and 91.5 +/- 0.8% digestible, respectively (n = 9, mean +/- SEM). The modified potato starch-fed group deposited the least fat, protein and energy. In both modified starch-fed groups, liver weights were significantly greater than in the two control groups. In food-deprived rats, serum free fatty acid concentrations in the modified potato starch-fed group were significantly higher than in the two control groups, and serum glucose concentrations were significantly higher in the two modified starch-fed groups than in the controls. The insulin to glucagon ratios were significantly lower in the modified potato starch-fed and amylomaize-7 starch-fed groups than in the dextrose-fed control group. Serum protein concentrations, measured after food deprivation, were significantly lower in the modified potato starch-fed group than in the other three groups. Gluconeogenesis from fermentation products might account for the high serum glucose concentrations in the two experimental groups. These data indicate that only the modified amylomaize-7 starch may be useful in the development of food products for liquid nutritional supplements because of the high digestibility and the low resultant insulin levels.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1995

Attenuation of shock-induced hepatic microcirculatory disturbances by the use of a starch-deferoxamine conjugate for resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a hydroxyethyl starch-deferoxamine conjugate on hepatic microcirculation in an isobaric, anesthetized rat model of hemorrhagic shock and asanguineous resuscitation. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Laboratory at a university hospital. SUBJECTS: Twenty-three female, inbred Lewis rats (190 to 215 g). INTERVENTIONS: After anesthesia (pentobarbital-sodium; 50 mg/kg), tracheotomy, and cannulation, animals were assigned to a hemorrhagic shock (mean arterial pressure at 40 +/- 3 mm Hg for 45 mins) or a time-matched sham protocol. Rats in the shock groups received either hydroxyethyl starch or a starch-deferoxamine conjugate for resuscitation. Liver microcirculation was assessed in vivo 60 mins after onset of volume therapy by epifluorescence microscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Conventional resuscitation with the starch-vehicle failed to restore sinusoidal blood flow compared with either time-matched controls (71% of control value; p < .01) or the starch-deferoxamine-treated animals (89% of control value; p < .05 compared with starch-vehicle), although a comparable restoration of central hemodynamics was achieved with both starch preparations. Additionally, treatment with the starch-deferoxamine conjugate resulted in a significant attenuation of sinusoidal leukocyte margination (sham 72.4 +/- 11.0/mm2; starch-vehicle 194.5 +/- 19.0/mm2 [p < .01 compared with controls]; starch-deferoxamine conjugate 135.9 +/- 12.1/mm2 [p < .02 compared with sham and starch-vehicle]). CONCLUSIONS: Asanguineous resuscitation with conventional hydroxyethyl starch failed to restore hepatic microvascular blood flow, despite otherwise effective resuscitation. In contrast, the starch-deferoxamine conjugate improved volumetric blood flow and attenuated leukocyte margination in hepatic sinusoids compared with starch-vehicle, suggesting involvement of iron-dependent, oxygen-derived radicals in shock-induced hepatic microcirculatory disturbances.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Morphology of starch digestion in the horse.

Structure of starch in feed and chyme of horses (7 with a cannula at the caudal end of the jejunum and 2 with a cecal fistula) after feeding high starch diets (maize: whole, broken, ground, expanded and as silage, oats: whole, rolled or ground, rolled barley, raw potatoes, and tapioca) was investigated by light and electron microscopy. Structure of feed starch and morphology or starch degradation in the chyme corresponded to data on preileal starch digestibility which was investigated in a parallel study. Barriers for starch digestion in the gastrointestinal tract of the horse were structure of the plant storage organ, as for example, a tight connection between starch granules in maize gains as well as the structure of the starch granules itself. The highly digestible oat starch was degraded by exocorrosion around the grains, whereas in other, less digestible, starch types degradation occurred by endocorrosion via pin holes. The number and size of the pin holes increased with increasing preileal starch digestibility. The effect of various ways of decomposition on preileal digestibility increased with advanced destruction of the original starch structure. Expanding was most effective. The granules were destroyed completely and the starch became soluble. Simple examination by light microscopy is a fast method to evaluate the degree of starch decomposition in the feed.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Evaluation of enzymatically modified potato starches in diets for weanling pigs.

We conducted three growth trials to evaluate replacing carbohydrate sources with enzymatically modified potato starches in diets for weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, 180 pigs (initially 5.3 kg and 21+/-2 d of age) were used to compare the effects of corn (36.5%), edible-grade oat flour (36.5%), two enzymatically modified potato starches (12%), and added lactose (12%) on pig performance. Potato Starch 1 had a dextrose equivalent (DE) of 6 and Potato Starch 2 had a DE of 20; both were spray-dried maltodextrans. Pigs that were fed Potato Starch 2 had greater (P<.05) ADG and ADFI than pigs fed diets that contained corn or oat flour from d 0 to 14 after weaning, and pigs fed either Potato Starch 1 or added lactose had intermediate ADG and ADFI. However, for the overall trial (d 0 to 35), no differences (P>.10) in growth performance were observed. In Exp. 2, 198 pigs (initially 4.3 kg and 19+/-2 d of age) were used to determine whether modified Potato Starch 2 could replace a portion of the corn or lactose in the diet. The control diet contained 10% dried whey, and additional treatments were formulated by adding 7 or 14% modified Potato Starch 2 or lactose in place of corn. A positive control diet was formulated containing 29% dried whey. From d 0 to 14 after weaning, increasing dietary lactose improved (linear, P<.04) ADG and ADFI. Increasing the potato starch had no effect on ADG but increased ADFI (linear, P<.02). In Exp. 3, 180 pigs (initially 3.9 kg and 14+/-3 d of age) were used to evaluate Potato Starch 2 or 3 (DE = 30, a spray-dried glucose syrup) as replacements for either corn or lactose in the diet. Pigs were fed a control diet containing 15% dried whey and 12% added lactose. Twelve percent modified Potato Starch 2 or 3 replaced either corn or lactose in the diet on a wt/wt basis. From d 0 to 14 and d 0 to 21, pigs fed either modified potato starch substituted for corn had greater (P<.07) ADG than those fed the control diet. Pigs fed diets with either modified starch substituted for lactose had similar ADG as those fed the control diet. These results suggest that when substituted for corn, Potato Starch 2 can improve growth performance of weanling pigs.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

Effect of Charge and Hydrophobicity on Adsorption of Modified Starches on Polyester.

Polyester fabric (poly(ethylene terephthalate)) is a hydrophobic polymer. Its hydrophobic nature can be a disadvantage for certain applications like dyeing, finishing, detergency, etc. Physical or chemical modification of the polyester to make it more hydrophilic is therefore desirable for certain performance characteristics. Surface modification of polyester to make it hydrophilic can be achieved by adsorbing polymers on the polyester surface. Starch is a commonly available, hydrophilic polymer used in many textile applications that can be used to modify polyester. However, it needs to be chemically modified so that it can adsorb on the polyester fabric and physically modify the fabric characteristics. The polymers used in this study are two different modified starches-cationic and anionic starches and mixtures of the two. The adsorption kinetics on a polyester substrate was studied. The effect of charge and hydrophobicity on adsorption was investigated. Cationic starches were shown to readily adsorb on polyester and this was attributed to electrostatic interactions. Hydrophobic substituents on the cationic moiety resulted in increased adsorption. This was attributed to the weak hydrophobic interaction between the polymer chains which could result in a more coiled polymer conformation. It is hypothesized that more starch molecules are required for surface coverage of the polyester, resulting in an increase in adsorption. Anionic starch was adsorbed on the substrate but at a slower rate than the cationic starches. It is likely that there is a H bonding between acid groups on the starch and the ester groups of the polyester. However, the anionic starch is desorbed when the polyester is placed in an aqueous medium. When a blend of cationic starch and anionic starch was used, a low concentration of anionic starch was seen to increase adsorption, indicating that the polyelectrolyte complex itself may be adsorbing on the substrate. Further increases cause a decrease in adsorption as no sites may be available on the complex for adsorption. When hydrophobic substituents are present, addition of the anionic starch causes a decrease in adsorption at all concentrations. This was attributed to the "crosslinking" between the hydrophobically modified starch and the anionic polymer. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1990

Selective measurement of starch synthesizing enzymes in permeabilized potato tuber slices.

Osmotically permeabilized potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber slices were used to study the biosynthesis of starch under semi in vivo conditions. Criteria to distinguish the various enzymes involved in starch biosynthesis were developed based on the characteristics of the enzymes in in vitro experiments. Branching enzyme activity was inhibited at pH 8.5 or higher, while the starch synthases functioned optimally between pH 8.8 and 9.1. Unprimed soluble starch synthase activity was only apparent in the presence of sodium citrate (0.4 molar or higher). Granulebound and primed soluble starch synthase were active in the absence of sodium citrate. Primed soluble starch synthase activity was susceptible to inhibition by 10 millimolar zinc sulfate, while granule-bound starch synthase activity was not. The incorporation of the Glc moiety of ADP-Glc into starch in tissue slices by the various starch synthases was consistent with in vitro data with respect to the affinity of the enzymes for substrate, the pH profile, the stimulation by citrate, and the inhibition by zinc sulfate. These data were used to determine the activity of each of the starch synthases in tissue slices: granule-bound and soluble starch synthase transferred 37 and 55 picomoles ADP-Glc per hour per milligram fresh weight into starch of permeabilized tissue slices at 30 degrees C and pH 9.1. In the presence of 0.5 molar sodium citrate, at least 40 picomoles ADP-Glc per hour per milligram fresh weight as transferred into starch by unprimed soluble starch synthase activity.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1991

Leaching of amylose from wheat and corn starch.

Wheat starch gave a 21% yield (based on starch) of amylose (AM) when leached at 3% solids under mild agitation, and at a heating rate of 10 degrees C/min to 95 degrees C followed by holding at least 10 min. Annealing wheat starch prior to leaching at 95 degrees C or using a heating rate of 1 degrees C/min during leaching, increased AM yield from 21% to 23% at 3.0% starch solids, and 8% to 16% at 4.5% starch solids. At 0.5% solids, almost all wheat AM (29% of starch) was solubilized into the continuous phase at 95 degrees C, but only one-half of the lipid in the starch co-leached with AM. Corn starch behaved similarly to wheat starch during leaching below 1.5% starch solids, while at 3.0% almost 40% more AM was obtained from wheat than corn starch. Wheat AM molecules isolated by leaching were larger than those obtained by crystallizing its n-butanol complex, and they gave a different size-distribution as evidenced by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography. A triangular phase diagram was useful in depicting the overall process of leaching AM from starch. The critical concentrations of wheat (5.4%) and corn (5.2%) starches were determined using phase diagrams.

Amylose↗

PubMed1989

Starch digestion in normal subjects and patients with pancreatic disease, using a 13CO2 breath test.

A 13CO2 starch breath test was developed to study starch digestion in 13 healthy volunteers and 16 patients with pancreatic disease. As starch is hydrolyzed to glucose that is subsequently oxidized to CO2, the excretion of 13CO2 after starch intake, compared with the excretion of 13CO2 after glucose intake, should be a measure of starch hydrolysis. In normal subjects both the hourly 13CO2 excretion rate and the cumulative percentage of 13CO2 excretion after starch ingestion were significantly different from those after glucose ingestion. Comparable differences were found with the patient group. In addition, the 13CO2 excretion after starch intake in normal subjects was markedly different from that of patients with pancreatic disease. Even after correction for endocrine pancreatic insufficiency by calculating the ratio of 13CO2 excretion after starch intake over 13CO2 excretion after glucose intake, the difference between the control group and the patient group was statistically significant. This study indicates that starch hydrolysis is the rate-limiting step in starch digestion. It also confirms recent findings suggesting that starch digestion is impaired in some patients with pancreatic disease. The 13CO2 starch breath test may prove to be useful in evaluating the digestibility of various starch preparations in physiologic and pathological conditions.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Rats discriminate between starch and other substances having a similar texture.

Studies examined the contribution of textural factors to the ability of rats to sense starch. If rats sense the abrasive effects of starch suspensions, conditioned aversions to starch should generalize to substances having a similar texture. Two substances having a texture similar to that of starch were examined, polymeric dialdehyde (a product derived from starch) and inulin (a polymer of fructose). Rats were trained to avoid dilute suspensions of rice starch, potato starch, polymeric dialdehyde, or dahlia inulin, by injecting them with lithium chloride after they drank the test substance. Generalization tests revealed that rats trained to avoid rice or potato starch subsequently avoided corn starch, whereas rats trained to avoid polymeric dialdehyde or dahlia inulin did not avoid corn starch. Rats trained to avoid polymeric dialdehyde avoided this substance to a greater degree than did rats trained to avoid rice or potato starch. Rats trained to avoid dahlia inulin avoided this substance to a greater degree than did the rats in the other groups, but avoidance of dahlia inulin did not generalize to chicory inulin. Untrained rats showed little or no preference for dilute suspensions of polymeric dialdehyde or inulin, but did prefer starch over vehicle. It is concluded that tactile sensitivity does not play a large role in the perception of dilute starch suspensions.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Starch preference in rats.

Several experiments examined the preference of adult female rats for starch and starch-derived polysaccnarides using short- and long-term two-choice tests. In Experiment 1, food-deprived rats displayed an immediate preference for powdered corn starch over powdered cellulose in 30-min/day tests. This supports the hypothesis that rats have starch (polysaccharide) taste receptors. The rats also preferred the starch powder to Polycose powder. This preference was unexpected since Polycose, being partially hydrolyzed corn starch, should be a more effective taste stimulus than corn starch. Experiment 2 revealed that nondeprived rats also preferred starch to Polycose in 30-min/day tests, but reversed their preference in 24-hr/day tests; the preference reversal was attributed to postingestive factors. Additional experiments demonstrated that rats preferred branched-chain starch (amylopectin) to unbranched starch (amylose) in both short- and long-term tests. Rats also preferred amylopectin to Polycose in short-term tests when the saccharides were in powder form, but preferred Polycose to amylopectin when the saccharides were in liquid or gel form. The preference for amylopectin powder was not due to the noncarbohydrate constituents (fatty acids, proteins, others) in the starch since rats also preferred chemically purified amylopectin to Polycose powder. Additional tests suggested that texture differences do not explain the rats' preference for starch powder over Polycose powder. Taken together, the results demonstrate that rats have a robust preference for starch but the orosensory determinants of this preference are not completely understood.

Amylopectin↗

PubMed2002

Manipulation of colonic bacteria and volatile fatty acid production by dietary high amylose maize (amylomaize) starch granules.

AIMS: To study the effects of amylomaize starch and modified (carboxymethylated and acetylated) amylomaize starches on the composition of colonic bacteria and the production of volatile fatty acids, in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Balb/c mice were fed with experimental diets containing various amount of amylomaize and modified amylomaize starches. Colonic bacterial populations and short-chain fatty acids were monitored. Results showed that the increases in indigenous bifidobacteria were detected in mice fed all starches tested; however, the highest numbers were observed in the group fed with 40% unmodified amylomaize starch. The starch type influenced the populations of indigenous Lactobacillus, Bacteroides and coliforms. High Lactobacillus numbers were achieved in the colon of mice fed with high concentration of amylomaize starch. Acetylated amylomaize starch significantly reduced the population of coliforms. In addition, orally dosed amylomaize utilizing bifidobacteria reached their highest levels when fed together with amylomaize or carboxymethylated amylomaize starch and in both cases butyrate levels were markedly increased. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that different amylomaize starches could generate desirable variation in gut microflora and that particular starches may be used to selectively modify gut function. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: Amylomaize starch appeared to enhance the desirable composition of colonic bacteria in mice, and suggested it possessed the potential prebiotic properties. Therefore, resistant starch and its chemical derivatives may exert beneficial impacts to the human colon.

Amylose↗

PubMed2001

A critical role for disproportionating enzyme in starch breakdown is revealed by a knock-out mutation in Arabidopsis.

Disproportionating enzyme (D-enzyme) is a plastidial alpha-1,4-glucanotransferase but its role in starch metabolism is unclear. Using a reverse genetics approach we have isolated a mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana in which the gene encoding this enzyme (DPE1) is disrupted by a T-DNA insertion. While D-enzyme activity is eliminated in the homozygous dpe1-1 mutant, changes in activities of other enzymes of starch metabolism are relatively small. During the diurnal cycle, the amount of leaf starch is higher in dpe1-1 than in wild type and the amylose to amylopectin ratio is increased, but amylopectin structure is unaltered. The amounts of starch synthesised and degraded are lower in dpe1-1 than in wild type. However, the lower amount of starch synthesised and the higher proportion of amylose are both eliminated when plants are completely de-starched by a period of prolonged darkness prior to the light period. During starch degradation, a large accumulation of malto-oligosaccharides occurs in dpe1-1 but not in wild type. These data show that D-enzyme is required for malto-oligosaccharide metabolism during starch degradation. The slower rate of starch degradation in dpe1-1 suggests that malto-oligosaccharides affect an enzyme that attacks the starch granule, or that D-enzyme itself can act directly on starch. The effects on starch synthesis and composition in dpe1-1 under normal diurnal conditions are probably a consequence of metabolism at the start of the light period, of the high levels of malto-oligosaccharides generated during the dark period. We conclude that the primary function of D-enzyme is in starch degradation.

Amylopectin↗

PubMed2003

Postprandial carbohydrate metabolism in healthy subjects and those with type 2 diabetes fed starches with slow and rapid hydrolysis rates determined in vitro.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of starches with differing rates of hydrolysis on exposure to pancreatin in vitro on postprandial carbohydrate metabolism in healthy subjects and in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Two test starches, prepared from uncooked native granular starch products, and naturally enriched with 13C, were consumed in a randomized crossover design by eight healthy and thirteen type 2 diabetic subjects. One starch was characterized in vitro as being rapidly hydrolysed (R, 94% after 180 min), and the other was more slowly hydrolysed (S, 51% after 180 min). Each subject consumed 50 g of each test starch. In addition, the type 2 diabetic subjects consumed 89.7 g of the S starch on a separate occasion. Blood samples were taken at 10 min intervals for 3 h, and at 20 min intervals for a further 3 h during a 6 h postprandial period. Breath 13CO2 enrichment was measured at the same time points, and indirect calorimetry was performed for seven 20 min sessions immediately before and during the 6 h postprandial period. With the R starch, plasma glucose concentrations and serum insulin concentrations rose faster and the maximum glucose change was approximately 1.8 times that for the S starch, averaged across both subject groups. The areas under the curves for glucose and insulin were, respectively, 1.7 and 1.8 times higher for the R starch compared with the S starch, averaged across both subject groups. The rate of 13CO2 output and the proportion of 13C recovered in breath after consumption of the R starch was similar for both subject groups. The results provide evidence that starches which have different rates of hydrolysis in vitro result in different patterns of glycaemia and insulinaemia in both healthy adults and in diet-controlled type 2 diabetic subjects. Data from the hydrolysis of novel starch products in vitro, therefore, are useful in predicting glycaemic responses in vivo.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

PubMed1979

Digestibility of raw and cooked starches from legume seeds using the laboratory rat.

The in vivo digestibility and growth responses to diets containing raw and cooked legume starches were determined using male Wistar rats. These starches were obtained from seven legumes including smooth- and wrinkled-seeded field peas, navy beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, mung beans and lentils. Wheat and potato starch diets were fed for comparative purposes. With the exception of potato and the field pea starches, rats fed uncooked starch diets had higher weight gains than those fed cooked starch diets. The starches from wheat and all legumes, excluding the high-amylose wrinkled pea, were nearly 100% digestible but the legume starches reduced the digestibility of casein protein by 3 to 4%. Raw potato starch was shown to be only 57% digestible. The starches from potato and wrinkled pea reduced the digestibility of casein protein to 87% and gave high cecum weights. These characteristics were not altered by cooking the starch of wrinkled pea. The starches of smooth-seeded peas, lentils and all beans were highly digestible, showed no adverse effects on growth and were comparable to wheat starch in this evaluation.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Digestibility of native and modified starches: in vitro studies with human and rabbit pancreatic amylases and in vivo studies in rabbits.

The effects of cooking and chemical modification of purified starches on the relative rates and extent of their hydrolysis were studied in vitro by using purified human and rabbit pancreatic amylases. Comparison was made with an in vivo study of postprandial glucose and insulin response in adult rabbits. Uncooked starches showed negligible hydrolysis in vitro, whereas cooking (10 min, 100 degrees C) increased both the rate and extent of hydrolysis of all starches. Soluble potato starch was the most and potato amylose the least hydrolyzed. Unmodified tapioca and waxy corn starch were hydrolyzed at the same rate and to the same extent as soluble potato starches. In most cases chemical modification did not change the rate and extent of hydrolysis of the starches. Minor differences between human and rabbit pancreatic amylase exist, but there is a general resemblance between the two amylases in their starch-hydrolyzing properties (correlation coefficient = 0.90; P less than 0.001). The in vivo study showed that uncooked starches elicited no detectable glucose and insulin responses, whereas all the cooked starches except amylose caused glucose and insulin responses comparable to the response seen when feeding glucose. Chemically modified starches (especially waxy corn acetylated distarch adipate) seemed to promote a faster rate of absorption, but the total glucose response (i.e., for the entire 180-min duration) was similar for modified starches and their unmodified counter-parts. The in vivo results showed an overall qualitative similarity to the in vitro results but presented a quantitative difference in the magnitude of the responses for various starch preparations. A good correlation exists between the in vitro and in vivo results (correlation coefficient = 0.84; P less than 0.01). This indicates that the action of pancreatic amylases is an important determinant in the digestion and absorption of these carbohydrates.

Amylases↗

PubMed1993

Starches of varied digestibilities differentially modify intestinal function in rats.

Starches of different digestibilities may enter the colon to different extents and alter colonic function. Male Fischer 344 rats were fed diets containing 25% cooked potato starch, arrowroot starch, high amylose cornstarch or raw potato starch for 6 wk. Fecal weight, transit time, colonic thymidine kinase activity (a marker for cell proliferation), and weight, starch content and pH of the cecum and proximal and distal colon were measured. Raw potato starch was much less completely digested than high amylose cornstarch, resulting in a 32-fold greater amount of undigested starch entering the cecum in the raw potato starch group. Both the high amylose cornstarch and raw potato starch diets significantly enhanced fecal weight and produced large intestinal hypertrophy, effects that were greatest in the raw potato starch group. Raw potato starch feeding was associated with the highest level of thymidine kinase activity, although the differences in thymidine kinase activity among the four groups were not significant. This diet also produced a 50% longer transit time. Entry of a large amount of raw potato starch into the colon resulted in greater luminal acidity, greater luminal bulk and slower transit. A much smaller amount of starch entered the colon in the high amylose cornstarch group and resulted in fecal bulking but no alteration in transit.

Animals↗