Professor Li Zhaofeng, Jiangnan University: The new short cluster malt paste starch substitute improves the stability of blood sugar after meals

Dietary starch is usually associated with elevated blood sugar after meals. This is a potential risk factor for type 2 diabetes. In this study, Haocun Kong, Luxi Yu, Zhaofeng Li and others at Jiangnan University recombined α-1, 4 and α-1,6 glycoside bonds in starch molecules using 1,4-α-glucan branching enzymes (1,4-α-glucan branching enzyme, GBE). Structural indications show that GBE catalytic molecular recombination results in a new type of short-cluster maltodextrin (short-clustered maltodextrin, SCMD), with dense internal structure and shortened outer chains. This short cluster molecule hinders the role of digestive enzymes and significantly reduces digestion. Therefore, SCMD can be used as an alternative to dietary starch to improve post-meal blood sugar stability. As a result, ICR mice had a 22.3 percent lower peak blood sugar level after consuming SCMD (10.7 mmol/L) than the control group (13.8 mmol/L). In addition, a reduced insulin response to SCMD intake (40.5% lower than the control group) was considered suitable for the treatment of diabetes. These new findings suggest that enzymatic reconstruction of starch molecules may be an effective way to treat diabetes.
Li Zhaofeng, professor
Li Zhaofeng, male, member of the Communist Party of China, Ph.D. in Engineering, professor, doctoral tutor. National Outstanding Youth Science Fund winner, Ho Yingdong Foundation Young Teachers Fund recipient, Jiangsu Province University "Blue Project" middle-aged and young academic leader, Jiangsu Province, "Dr. Shuangsheng." He is also the Secretary General of the Corn Deep Processing Branch of the China Grain and Oil Society. Long engaged in starch biotechnology-related research, mainly focused on the development of new amylase to enhance the physical and chemical, functional properties and nutritional value of starch. In the past five years, as the project leader, he presided over the "13th Five-Year Plan" national key research and development projects, the National Natural Science Foundation of China and other national and provincial scientific research projects more than 10; The research results won the second prize of national technology invention, the first prize of scientific and technological progress of the Ministry of Education, the first prize of technological invention, the youth science and technology award of China Grain and Oil Society and other awards.
(An Innovative Short-Clustered Maltodextrin as Starch Substitute for Ameliorating Postprandial Glucose Homeostasis) is published online at Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. )