Evaluation of the physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of the complex formed between rice starch and a novel pigment from Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. leaf.

This study investigated the effect of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. leaf (VBTL) dark blue pigment on the physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility of different rice starches. The results showed that glutinous rice starch (GRS) had a higher pigment loading capacity than indica rice starch (IRS) and japonica rice starch (JRS). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that these binary complexes between pigment and starch molecules bind through strong hydrogen bonds. All starch-pigment complexes displayed a lower gelatinization enthalpy than the controls. The addition of this pigment reduced the maximum starch in vitro digestion amount. Furthermore, the addition of pigment significantly increased the resistant starch and decreased the rapidly digestible starch in 'Wu mi', rice grains dyed by VBTL. This study provided important evidence of the digestion resistibility of VBTL dark blue pigment on 'Wu mi' to promote glycaemic regulation as a healthy cereal product.