Development of Slowly Digestible Starch Derived α-Glucans with 4,6-α-Glucanotransferase and Branching Sucrase Enzymes
Evelien M. te Poele, Sarah G. Corwin, Bruce R. Hamaker, Lisa Lamothe, Christina Vafiadi, Lubbert Dijkhuizen
Abstract
digestibility of the various α-glucans was estimated with the glucose generation rate (GGR) assay that uses rat intestinal acetone powder to simulate the digestive enzymes in the upper intestine. Raw wheat starch is known to be a slowly digestible carbohydrate in mammals and was used as a benchmark control. Compared to raw wheat starch, IMMP and dextran showed reduced digestibility, with partially digestible and indigestible portions. Interestingly, the digestibility of the branching sucrase modified IMMP and dextran products considerably decreased with increasing percentages of (α1→3)-linkages present. The treatment of amylose with 4,6-α-glucanotransferase and branching sucrase/sucrose thus allowed for the synthesis of amylose/starch derived α-glucans with markedly reduced digestibility. These starch derived α-glucans may find applications in the food industry.