Comprehensive characterization of pulse flour microstructure using advanced non-destructive techniques

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorSivakumar, Chitra
dc.contributor.examiningcommitteeErkinbaev, Chyngyz (Biosystems Engineering)
dc.contributor.examiningcommitteeKarunakaran, Chithra (Biosystems Engineering)
dc.contributor.examiningcommitteeSingh, Ashutosh (University of Guelph)
dc.contributor.supervisorPaliwal, Jitendra
dc.date.accessioned2024-08-06T16:53:24Z
dc.date.available2024-08-06T16:53:24Z
dc.date.issued2024-07-30
dc.date.submitted2024-08-01T21:35:56Zen_US
dc.degree.disciplineBiosystems Engineering
dc.degree.levelDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
dc.description.abstractMilling influences flour morphology and the molecular structure of biomolecules. Such structure-function interactions are crucial in determining ingredient functionality to develop specific end-products. Laboratory scale X-ray instruments such as X-ray microtomography (µCT), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) offer limited brightness and are time-consuming when investigating the flour porosity, starch lamellar structure, and the crystallinity of pulse flours. Herein, synchrotron X-rays (SR) were employed along with laser diffraction, mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to non-invasively investigate the molecular changes in roller-milled chickpea, navy bean, green lentil, and yellow pea flours as influenced by milling configurations (termed as flour streams) and flour blending (termed as flour blends). In the realm of this thesis, flour streams comprise break and reduction streams for green lentils and yellow pea flours. However, for chickpeas and navy beans, flour streams combined byproducts streams in addition to the break and reduction streams. Flour blends are a combination of combined break, reduction, and byproduct streams in different proportions. Results indicate that there is a variation in all the measured parameters (particle size distribution (PSD), flour morphology, starch lamellar structure, starch crystallinity, flour porosity, starch and protein secondary structures) in flour streams and blends and within a pulse-type. PSD results from laser diffraction, SR-µCT and SEM revealed multi-modal curve distribution patterns with differences in measured ranges for the same sample. Flour morphology analysis through SEM showcased differences between break and reduction streams, with break streams exhibiting clustered starch granules and reduction streams displaying isolated, deformed granules. Flour blends displayed a mixture of flour morphology analogous to flour streams, reflecting blend composition effects. Interestingly, chickpea starches were porous in nature. Consistent SAXS and PXRD patterns were observed in all the flours for both flour streams and blends. Porosity analysis using SR-µCT results were correlated with the SEM results. Mid-IR spectroscopy discerned dissimilarities in carbohydrate and protein regions among all the pulse flours for both flour streams and blends. Principal component analysis effectively discriminated between flour types and streams based on spectral characteristics. Overall, this comprehensive analysis sheds light on the PSD, morphology, starch structure, and functional components of roller-milled pulse flour streams and blends, providing valuable insights for optimizing milling processes and understanding flour quality attributes.
dc.description.noteOctober 2024
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1993/38356
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsopen accessen_US
dc.subjectSynchrotron
dc.subjectpulse flours
dc.subjectscanning electron microscopy
dc.subjectmilling
dc.subjectsmall angle X-ray scattering
dc.subjectpowder X-ray diffraction
dc.titleComprehensive characterization of pulse flour microstructure using advanced non-destructive techniques
dc.typedoctoral thesisen_US
local.subject.manitobano
project.funder.nameNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
PhD_Thesis V2 (1).pdf
Size:
21.19 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
This is a sandwich thesis. Out of six research and review articles, four are published and two are under review. Therefore, I am requesting an embargo period of 24 months.
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
770 B
Format:
Item-specific license agreed to upon submission
Description:
Download
Collections
FGS - Electronic Theses and Practica