Faculty Publications

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    Miscibility studies of starch and poly(4-styrene sulfonic acid) blend system
    (Sphinx Knowledge House info@sphinxsai.com, 2014) Sudhakar, Y.N.; Bhat, D.; Muthu, M.
    Polymeric solutions were prepared using blends of starch with poly(4-styrene sulfonic acid) (PSSA) in water and their miscibility was determined by viscosity studies at 30 °C, 40 °C and 50 °C. Using interaction parameters such as Krigbaum’s (?b), Hong’s (?kAB), Chee’s (?), Sun’s (?), polymer-polymer, blend-solvent and heat of mixing there was the existence of positive interactions in the blend polymer solutions only up to 80% PSSA content. A significant variation of miscibility was observed with increase in temperature in the sample containing 70% PSSA content. Polymer blend films obtained by solution casting showed hydrogen bonding in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies also supported the results. A uniform surface of the miscible blend films were observed in scanning electron microscopy images, whereas segregation was observed for the immiscible blends. © 2014, Sphinx Knowledge House. All Rights Reserved.
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    Microscopic and spectroscopic characterization of rice and corn starch
    (Wiley-Liss Inc., 2020) Govindaraju, I.; Pallen, S.; Umashankar, S.; Mal, S.S.; Kaniyala Melanthota, S.; Mahato, D.R.; Zhuo, G.-Y.; Mahato, K.K.; Mazumder, N.
    Starch granules from rice and corn were isolated, and their molecular mechanism on interaction with ?-amylase was characterized through biochemical test, microscopic imaging, and spectroscopic measurements. The micro-scale structure of starch granules were observed under an optical microscope and their average size was in the range 1–100 ?m. The surface topological structures of starch with micro-holes due to the effect of ?- amylase were also visualized under scanning electron microscope. The crystallinity was confirmed by X-ray diffraction patterns as well as second-harmonic generation microscopy. The change in chemical bonds before and after hydrolysis of the starch granules by ?- amylase was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Combination of microscopy and spectroscopy techniques relates structural and chemical features that explain starch enzymatic hydrolysis which will provide a valid basis for future studies in food science and insights into the energy transformation dynamics. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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    Optimization of oxalate-free starch production from Taro flour by oxalate oxidase assisted process
    (Bellwether Publishing, Ltd., 2021) Kizhakedathil, M.P.; Suvarna, S.; Belur, P.D.; Wongsagonsup, R.; Agoo, E.M.G.; Janairo, J.I.B.
    Taro (Colocasia esculenta) starch is known to possess unique physical and functional properties such as low amylose content, A-crystalline form, small granules, higher swelling power, etc. Due to the presence of significant amount of calcium oxalate crystals, the food industry is reluctant to explore this unique and cheap starch source for various food applications. Traditional processes utilizing various physical and chemical methods to remove oxalate content of starch inevitably change its physical and functional properties. However, using oxalate oxidase can effectively remove oxalates without altering the unique properties of starch. Hence, an attempt was made to optimize oxalate oxidase assisted starch extraction process from taro flour using response surface methodology. A central composite design comprising 20 experimental trials with 10 cube points augmented with six axial points and four replicates at the center point was applied. A mathematical model was developed to show the effect of taro flour concentration, enzyme load and incubation time on the oxalate removal. Validity of the model was experimentally verified and found that 98.3% of total oxalates can be removed under optimal conditions. This is the first report of optimization of the production of starch from taro flour using microbial oxalate oxidase. © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
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    Revealing the Structural Organization of Gamma-irradiated Starch Granules Using Polarization-resolved Second Harmonic Generation Microscopy
    (Oxford University Press, 2023) Chen, M.-C.; Govindaraju, I.; Wang, W.-H.; Chen, W.-L.; Mumbrekar, K.D.; Mal, S.S.; Sarmah, B.; Baruah, V.J.; Srisungsitthisunti, P.; Karunakara, N.; Mazumder, N.; Zhuo, G.-Y.
    Starch is a semi-crystalline macromolecule with the presence of amorphous and crystalline components. The amorphous amylose and crystalline amylopectin regions in starch granules are susceptible to certain physical modifications, such as gamma irradiation. Polarization-resolved second harmonic generation (P-SHG) microscopy in conjunction with SHG-circular dichroism (CD) was used to assess the three-dimensional molecular order and inherent chirality of starch granules and their reaction to different dosages of gamma irradiation. For the first time, the relationship between starch achirality (χ21/χ16 and χ22/χ16) and chirality (χ14/χ16) determining susceptibility tensor ratios has been elucidated. The results showed that changes in the structure and orientation of long-chain amylopectin were supported by the decrease in the SHG anisotropy factor and the χ22/χ16 ratio. Furthermore, SHG-CD illustrated the molecular tilt angle by revealing the arrangement of amylopectin molecules pointing either upward or downward owing to molecular polarity. © 2023 Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.
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    Comparative analysis of biopolymer films derived from corn and potato starch with insights into morphological, structural and thermal properties
    (Springer Nature, 2024) Pooja, N.; Banik, S.; Chakraborty, I.; Sudeeksha, H.C.; Mal, S.S.; Srisungsitthisunti, P.; Patil, A.; Mahato, K.K.; Mazumder, N.
    Starch biopolymer films were prepared using the solvent casting method involving acetic acid hydrolysis and glycerol plasticization. This process facilitated a more uniform distribution of plasticizers within the starch matrix, enhancing the films' flexibility. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of ester linkages and structural changes in the biopolymer films, attributed to glycerol integration. The optimal formulation comprised 6% starch, 6.8% acetic acid, and 6.8% glycerol. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a reduction in crystallinity of the starch during film formation, enhancing flexibility. Second harmonic generation (SHG) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy indicated that potato starch films had higher crystallinity compared to corn starch films. Thermal analysis via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that potato starch films exhibited lower gelatinization temperatures and higher thermal stability compared to corn starch films. Functional characterization demonstrated that higher starch content decreased water solubility and water vapor transmission rate, while increasing starch content improved the film's structural integrity. The films were hydrophilic, with static water contact angles indicating moderate wettability. Degradation studies showed that the films were stable in neutral and basic conditions but degraded under acidic conditions over time. The results suggest that potato starch films, with optimized glycerol and acetic acid content, offer improved flexibility, thermal stability, and structural integrity compared to corn starch films. Their performance in various conditions highlights their potential for specific applications, particularly where moisture and environmental stability are critical. © The Author(s) 2024.
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    Assessment of biocompatibility for citric acid crosslinked starch elastomeric films in cell culture applications
    (Nature Research, 2025) Pooja, N.; Ahmed, N.Y.; Mal, S.S.; Bharath, P.A.S.; Zhuo, G.-Y.; Noothalapati, H.; Managuli, V.; Mazumder, N.
    This study investigates the synthesis of potato starch elastomers reinforced with silicon dioxide (SiO2) and citric acid as a crosslinking agent to enhance their mechanical and barrier properties. Surface morphology analysis using optical microscopy revealed that pure potato starch films had uneven surfaces. However, higher SiO2 concentrations increased roughness, while citric acid crosslinked films displayed smoother surfaces overall. Water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) indicated that native starch films were highly hydrophilic, while SiO2 incorporation and citric acid crosslinking significantly reduced WVTR of 17% (30% lower than native film), enhancing the barrier properties. Tensile strength testing revealed that citric acid crosslinking increased the tensile strength by 25%, while SiO2 further reinforced the films but decreased elasticity by 15%. SiO2 had little impact on degradation rates, while citric acid crosslinking delayed microbial growth, extending film longevity by 20%. Biocompatibility assays using SiHa, HT-29, and HEK 293 cell lines revealed that the films had varying degrees of cell confluency. Films with both SiO2 and citric acid showed improved confluency (20% higher) compared to films containing only SiO2. However, citric acid alone resulted in the highest confluency (95% viability), suggesting its significant role in biocompatibility. This eco-friendly approach demonstrates substantial advancements in film properties, offering potential applications in diverse biomedical industries. © The Author(s) 2025.
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    Investigation of the physicochemical factors affecting the in vitro digestion and glycemic indices of indigenous indica rice cultivars
    (Nature Research, 2025) Govindaraju, I.; Das, A.R.; Chakraborty, I.; Mal, S.S.; Sarmah, B.; Baruah, V.J.; Mazumder, N.
    Rice (Oryza sativa) is a vital food crop and staple diet for most of the world’s population. Poor dietary choices have had a significant role in the development of type-2 diabetes in the population that relies on rice and rice-starch-based foods. Hence, our study investigated the in vitro digestion and glycemic indices of certain indigenous rice cultivars and the factors influencing these indices. Cooking properties of rice cultivars were estimated. Further, biochemical investgations such as amylose content, resistant starch content were estimated using iodine-blue complex method and megazyme kit respectively. The in vitro glycemic index was estimated using GOPOD method. The rice cultivars considered in our study were classified into low-, intermediate-, and high-amylose rice varieties. The rice cultivars were subjected to physicochemical characterization by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. FTIR spectral analysis revealed prominent bands at 3550-3200, 2927-2935, 1628-1650, 1420-1330, and 1300-1000 cm?1, which correspond to –OH groups, C=O, C=C, and C–OH stretches, and H–O–H and –CH bending vibrations, confirming the presence of starch, proteins, and lipids. Additionally, the FTIR ratio R(1047/1022) confirmed the ordered structure of the amylopectin. DSC analysis revealed variations in the gelatinization parameters, which signifies variations in the fine amylopectin structures and the degree of branching inside the starch granules. The percentage of resistant starch (RS) ranged from 0.50–2.6%. The swelling power (SP) of the rice flour ranged between 4.1 and 24.85 g/g. Furthermore, most of the rice cultivars are classified as having a high glycemic index (GI) based on the estimated in vitro GI (eGI), which varies from 73.74–90.88. The cooking properties of these materials were also investigated. Because the amylose content is one of the key factors for determining the cooking, eating, and digestibility properties of rice, we investigated the relationships between the amylose content and other biochemical characteristics of rice cultivars. The SP and GI were negatively correlated with the amylose content, whereas the RS had a positive relationship. The findings of our study can be beneficial in illustrating the nutritional profile and factors affecting the digestibility of traditional rice cultivars which will promote their consumption, cultivation, and contributes to future food security. © The Author(s) 2025.