TL;DR: Both the okenia and mango starches had a higher molar mass and gyration radius than banana starch, which may be related to the differences determined in their crystalline structures.
Abstract: Starches were isolated from nonconventional sources (banana, mango, and okenia) and their characteristics were examined using polarized light microscopy, X-ray diffraction pattern, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Banana starch granules were of an ellipsoidal shape with size between approximately 8 and 20 microm; okenia had the smallest granule size, between approximately 2 and 5 microm. The three starches showed the Maltese cross, indicative of an intact granule structure. Okenia and mango starches had the A-type X-ray diffraction pattern, common to native cereal starches, whereas banana starch showed a mixture between A- and B-type pattern. Banana starch had the highest temperature (77.6 degrees C) and enthalpy (23.4 J/g) of gelatinization in excess water conditions; okenia had the lowest temperature (71.2 degrees C) and enthalpy (15 J/g), which may be related to the X-ray diffraction pattern and its small granule size. Both the okenia and mango starches had a higher molar mass and gyration radius than banana starch, which may be related to the differences determined in their crystalline structures.
TL;DR: In this paper, chemical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, viscoamylography, swelling and solubility, viscometry and oscillatory dynamic tests were applied to starch samples with 5 and 10% of total solids.
TL;DR: A molecular phylogeny, including all the sequenced Okenia species, was performed in order to evaluate the evolutionary relationships of the newly described species with the other congeneric taxa and confirmed the presence of O. mediterranea in the Mediterranean Sea, although leaving remaining questions about some of those taxa.
Abstract: The precise number of Okenia taxa inhabiting the Mediterranean Sea, as well as their general taxonomy, varies according to different specialists. So far, eight valid species have been reported from the area: Okenia aspersa (Alder & Hancock, 1845), Okenia cupella (Vogel & Schultz, 1970), Okenia elegans (Leuckart, 1828), Okenia hispanica Valdes & Ortea, 1995, Okenia impexa Er. Marcus, 1957, Okenia leachii (Alder & Hancock, 1854), Okenia mediterranea (Ihering, 1886), and Okenia zoobotryon (Smallwood, 1910). Of these, only three (O. elegans, O. hispanica, and O. mediterranea) have their type localities in the Mediterranean Sea, whereas the others were described from different biogeographic areas and later included in the Mediterranean biota. We carried out a review on Mediterranean Okenia species through an integrative approach, based on a wide literature search and a morphological and molecular analysis of available type material and samples collected recently. The present study confirmed the presence of O. aspersa, O. elegans, O. hispanica, and O. mediterranea in the Mediterranean Sea, although leaving remaining questions about some of those taxa. The distribution of O. cupella, O. impexa, and O. zoobotryon is limited to the western Atlantic, and of O. leachii to the eastern Atlantic. All specimens previously identified as O. cupella, O. impexa, and O. zoobotryon by different authors in the Mediterranean Sea were repeatedly misidentified. Thus, we describe Okenia problematica sp. nov. and Okenia longiductis sp. nov., from the "Mediterranean" Okenia cupella/impexa and O. zoobotryon. We also consider here Okenia pusilla Sordi, 1974 a nomen dubium and include a redescription of the holotype of O. cupella. A molecular phylogeny, including all the sequenced Okenia species, was performed in order to evaluate the evolutionary relationships of the newly described species with the other congeneric taxa.
TL;DR: Okenia hypogaea (Schlech. & Cham) belongs to the family of the Nyctaginacea, which produces a seed that is composed mainly of starch, the probable origin of Okenia Hypogaea is Mexico.
Abstract: Okenia hypogaea (Schlech. & Cham.) belongs to the family of the Nyctaginacea, which produces a seed that is composed mainly of starch, the probable origin of Okenia hypogaea is Mexico. The aim of this work was to isolate the starch from Okenia hypogaea and to evaluate its chemical composition, along with some physicochemical and functional properties. Okenia gave a starch yield of 36 %; this starch had an amylose content of 26.1 %, with a fat content similar to corn starch, but with a higher ash fraction. Okenia starch possessed a small granule size (1-3 μm), the same as amaranth starch, with similar characteristics of stability and clarity of pastes as corn starch. At 60 °C the water retention capacity of okenia starch was higher than that of corn starch, but at higher temperatures an inverse pattern was found. When the temperature in the experiments increased, solubility and swelling values increased; okenia starch had higher swelling values than corn starch over the range of temperatures assayed. Okenia starch also presented a lower freeze-thaw stability than corn starch on the first two cycles. Overall, it was concluded that due to its physicochemical and functional properties, it is worthwhile to test the use of okenia starch in the cosmetic and food industry.