• Native starch granules possess a smooth, oval-to-elliptical form as evidenced by optical and SEM microscopy. • XRD established an orthorhombic crystal structure in starch with an increase in relative crystallinity compared to flour. • The horsegram starch has approximately 9.5% of RS in its natural form without any modifications. This highlights the potential of this grain in lower GI. • Lower gelatinization temperature was exhibited by DSC analysis in purified starch, which speaks for increased thermal efficiency and reduced non-starch interactions. The underutilized but nutrient-dense horsegram ( Macrotyloma uniflorum ) is recognized for its health-promoting phytochemicals and its ability to reduce the risk of several chronic illnesses. The study examined the compositional, morphological, and structural properties of isolated horsegram starch compared to native flour. The isolated starch exhibited higher amylose (21%) and resistant starch, indicating enhanced nutritional potential. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed a predominant orthorhombic crystal structure with increased relative crystallinity starch (22.73%) compared to flour (21.40%), as isolation concentrates the crystalline amylopectin region in starch, while differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed lower gelatinization temperature and enthalpy for starch, suggesting easier swelling and gelatinization after isolation. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed sharper, well-resolved absorption bands with reduced spectral overlap, directly indicating minimized interference from proteins, lipids, and other non-starch components, thereby confirming the compositional purity of the isolated starch. The unique nutritional and functional characteristics of horsegram starch make it a valuable ingredient for various applications. These findings highlight the potential of isolated horsegram starch as a functional ingredient for low-glycemic and structurally stable food products. Its demonstrated purity and molecular structure also make it a suitable candidate for controlled-release drug delivery systems and biodegradable packaging applications in the pharmaceutical industry.
A et al. (Sun,) studied this question.