Gelatinization of Starch in Aqueous Alkaline Solutions

Abstract

Abstract The effect of kind and concentration of alkali on the gelatinization of maize, rice and wheat starches were thoroughly investigated. No gelatinization could be observed on using the carbonate and/or bicarbonate of sodium and potassium even on using their saturated solutions, while both sodium and potassium hydroxides undergo gelatinization. Gelatinization of starch occurs immediately at a concentration of sodium hydroxide of 1.2%, while clear gelatinized pastes could be obtained at 4% or more. Infra‐red spectra of maize and rice starches before and after alkali treatment reveal that treatment of starch with sodium hydroxide is accompanied by some physicochemical changes in the structure of starch. The rheological properties as well as the apparent viscosity of the gelatinized starch pastes depend on the kind of starch as well as the nature and concentration of alkali used.