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Native lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) seed starch (LSS) was single- and dual-modified by heat-moisture treatment (HMT), ultrasonication (US), HMT followed by the US (HMT-US), and the US followed by HMT (US-HMT). The modified lotus seed starch (LSS) was evaluated for its physicochemical, pasting, thermal, and rheological properties and in vitro digestibility. All treatments decreased the swelling power (10.52-14.0 g/g), solubility (12.20-15.95 %), and amylose content (23.71-25.67 %) except for ultrasonication (17.67 g/g, 17.90 %, 29.09 %, respectively) when compared with native LSS (15.05 g/g, 16.12 %, 27.12 %, respectively). According to the rheological study, G' (1665-4004 Pa) was greater than G″ (119-308 Pa) for all LSS gel samples demonstrating their elastic character. Moreover, gelatinization enthalpy (17.56-16.05 J/g) increased in all treatments compared to native LSS (15.38 J/g). Ultrasonication treatment improved the thermal stability of LSS. The digestibility results showed that dual modification using HMT and US significantly enhanced resistant starch (RS) and reduced slowly digestible starch (SDS) in LSS. Cracks were observed on the surface of the modified LSS granules. Peak viscosity decreased in all modified starches except for ultrasonication, suggesting their resistance to shear-thinning during cooking, making them ideal weaning food components. The results obtained after different modifications in this study could be a useful ready reference to select appropriate modification treatments to produce modified LSS with desired properties depending on their end-use., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) rhizomes are an under-utilized and sustainable starch source that constitutes up to 20 % starch. The review mainly focused on the extraction methods of starch, the chemical composition of LRS, and techno-functional characteristics such as swelling power, solubility, in vitro digestibility, pasting property, and gelatinization is highlighted in LRS review. Lotus rhizome starch (LRS) is also used as a water retention agent, thickening, gelling, stabilizing, and filling in food and non-food applications. Native starch has limited functional characteristics in food applications so by modifying the starch, functional characteristics are enhanced. Single and dual treatment processes are available to enhance microstructural properties, resistant starch, techno-functional, morphological, and, film-forming properties. Compared with other starch sources, there is a lack of systematic information on the LRS. Many industries are interested in developing food products based on starch such as nanoparticles, hydrogels, edible films, and many others. Additionally, there are several recommendations to improve the applications in the food industry. Finally, we provide an outlook on the future possibility of LRS., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Depleting fossil fuels and net carbon emissions associated with their burning have driven the need to find alternative energy sources. Biofuels are near-perfect candidates for alternative energy sources as they are renewable and account for no net CO 2 emissions. However, biofuel production must overcome various challenges to compete with conventional fuels. Conventional methods for bioconversion of biomass to biofuel include chemical, thermochemical, and biological processes. Substrate selection and processing, low yield, and total cost of production are some of the main issues associated with biofuel generation. Recently, the uses of nanotechnology and nanoparticles have been explored to improve the biofuel production processes because of their high adsorption, high reactivity, and catalytic properties. The role of these nanoscale particles and nanocatalysts in biomass conversion and their effect on biofuel production processes and yield are discussed in the present article. The applicability of nanotechnology in production processes of biobutanol, bioethanol, biodiesel, biohydrogen, and biogas under biorefinery approach are presented. Different types of nanoparticles, and their function in the bioprocess, such as electron transfer, pretreatment, hydrolysis, microalgae cultivation, lipid extraction, dark and photo fermentation, immobilization, and suppression of inhibitory compounds, are also highlighted. Finally, the current and potential applications of nanotechnology in biorefineries are also discussed., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)