Starch: Chemistry and Technology

Book excerpt: Starch: Chemistry and Technology, Second Edition focuses on the chemistry, processes, methodologies, applications, and technologies involved in the processing of starch. The selection first elaborates on the history and future expectation of starch use, economics and future of the starch industry, and the genetics and physiology of starch development. Discussions focus on polysaccharide biosynthesis, nonmutant starch granule polysaccharide composition, cellular developmental gradients, projected future volumes of corn likely to be used by the wet-milling industry, and organization of the corn wet-milling industry. The manuscript also tackles enzymes in the hydrolysis and synthesis of starch, starch oligosaccharides, and molecular structure of starch. The publication examines the organization of starch granules, fractionation of starch, and gelatinization of starch and mechanical properties of starch pastes. Topics include methods for determining starch gelatinization, solution properties of amylopectin, conformation of amylose in dilute solution, and biological and biochemical facets of starch granule structure. The text also takes a look at photomicrographs of starches, industrial microscopy of starches, and starch and dextrins in prepared adhesives. The selection is a vital reference for researchers interested in the processing of starch.