Structural and functional characterization of starches from Brazilian pine seeds (Araucaria angustifolia)

Abstract Brazilian pine seeds ( Araucaria angustifolia ) or pinhao are popularly consumed in South America as a seasonal food. Pinhao of seven accessions were supplied by Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa/Forestry) germplasm bank. Starch was isolated from those seeds and characterized. Structures and functional properties of starch, including amylose content, molecular weight (M w ) and gyration radius of amylopectin, amylopectin branch chain-length distribution, thermal and pasting properties, and in vitro digestibility were studied. The samples had significant differences on structures and functional properties. The pinhao starch consisted of considerable amounts of slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS). Results obtained from this study are useful for developing new applications for pinhao , which is a promising ingredient for the health/nutraceutical food industry.