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The composition and structure of the food matrix can have a major impact on the digestion. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of endogenous proteins and lipids on starch digestibility in rice flour, with an emphasis on establishing the underlying physicochemical mechanisms involved. Native long-grain indica rice flour and rice flour with the lipids and/or proteins removed were subjected to a simulated digestion in vitro . A significant increase in starch digestibility was observed after removal of proteins, lipids, or both. The starch digestibility of the rice flour without lipids was slightly lower than that without proteins, even though the proteins content was about 10-fold higher than the lipids content. Microstructural analysis suggested that the proteins and lipids were normally attached to the surfaces of the starch granules in the native rice flour, thus inhibiting their contact with digestive enzymes. Moreover, the proteins and lipids restricted the swelling of the starch granules, which may have decreased their digestion by reducing their surface areas. In addition, amylose-lipid complex was detected in the rice flour, which is also known to slow down starch digestion. These results have important implications for the design of foods with improved nutritional profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digestibility of starch in cooked ordinary rice grains and cooked texturized rice grains was compared using an in vitro gastrointestinal tract (GIT), which involved sequentially exposing samples to simulated oral, gastric, and small intestinal regions. The total extent of starch hydrolysis (%) of texturized rice was slightly lower than that of ordinary rice by the end of the GIT, probably because of its higher resistant starch content. Furthermore, the rate of starch hydrolysis in the small intestine was much slower for texturized rice than ordinary rice. Gel electrophoresis and microstructure analysis suggested that the proteins in the texturized rice formed a cross-linked network around the starch molecules. This network may have retarded the ability of digestive enzymes to access the starch, thereby reducing the hydrolysis rate. These results have important implications for the design of starch-based foods with a lower glycemic index, and therefore improved nutritional profiles. Image 1 • The simulated gastrointestinal tract was first used to evaluate the digestibility of texturized rice grains. • Texturized rice grains had a slower starch digestibility in simulated gastrointestinal tract digestion. • Proteins formed cross-linked structure in texturized rice. • Texturized rice had a compact structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]