Starch from Ramon seed (Brosimum alicastrum) obtained by two extraction methods

Brosimum alicastrum is a native tree widely distributed in the Yucatan peninsula where is called Ramon. Some studies have reported that Ramon seeds contain high starch content, recently used in developing novel and sustainable biomaterials. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of the extractive solution on the starch isolation Ramon seed flour; for that, distilled water (S1) and NaOH solution (S2) were used. The Ramon starch yield was 28.0 +/- 1.4% and 31.9 +/- 1.7% for S1 and S2. The morphology of starches was observed with scanning electronic microscopy, the functional groups were determined through Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy and crystallinity was calculated by X-ray diffraction analysis. The results indicate that both types of starch presented spherical morphology, similar functional groups and crystallinity values, suggesting that both extraction methods are suitable. The starches isolated exhibited similar thermal behavior assessed by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the effect of extractive solution on starch isolation from Ramon seed flour, finding that both distilled water and NaOH solution extraction methods yielded similar starch morphology, functional groups, and crystallinity values, suggesting their suitability. The isolated starches also exhibited similar thermal behavior, indicating their comparable quality.