Abstract: Thermally-inhibited starches and flours which are functionally equivalent to chemically-crosslinked starches are prepared by a process which comprises the steps of dehydrating a granular starch or flour to anhydrous or substantially anhydrous (<1% moisture) and heat treating the dehydrated starch or flour for a time and at a temperature sufficient to inhibit the starch, (e.g., 120-180° C. for up to 20 hours). Preferably the pH of the starch is adjusted to neutral or greater (e.g., pH 8-9.5) prior to the dehydration. The dehydration may be a thermal dehydration carried out simultaneously with the heat treatment or a non-thermal dehydration carried out by extraction with a solvent (e.g., ethanol) or by freeze drying.

Abstract: Thermally-inhibited starches and flours which are functionally equivalent to chemically-crosslinked starches are prepared by a process which comprises the steps of dehydrating a granular starch or flour to anhydrous or substantially anhydrous (<1% moisture) and heat treating the dehydrated starch or flour for a time and at a temperature sufficient to inhibit the starch, (e.g., 120-180° C. for up to 20 hours). Preferably the pH of the starch is adjusted to neutral or greater (e.g., pH 8-9.5) prior to the dehydration. The dehydration may be a thermal dehydration carried out simultaneously with the heat treatment or a non-thermal dehydration carried out by extraction with a solvent (e.g., ethanol) or by freeze drying.

Abstract: Thermally-inhibited starches and flours which are functionally equivalent to chemically-crosslinked starches are prepared by a process which comprises the steps of dehydrating a granular starch or flour to anhydrous or substantially anhydrous (<1% moisture) and heat treating the dehydrated starch or flour for a time and at a temperature sufficient to inhibit the starch, (e.g., 120-180° C. for up to 20 hours). Preferably the pH of the starch is adjusted to neutral or greater (e.g., pH 8-9.5) prior to the dehydration. The dehydration may be a thermal dehydration carried out simultaneously with the heat treatment or a non-thermal dehydration carried out by extraction with a solvent (e.g., ethanol) or by freeze drying.

Abstract: A thermally-inhibited granular starch or flour is used as an ingredient in various foods. The thermally-inhibited starches are functionally equivalent to chemically cross-linked starches. The stashes or flours are prepared by dehydrating the starch or flour to anhydrous or substantially anhydrous (<1% moisture), preferably at a neutral or basic pH, and heat treating the dehydrated starch or flour for a time sufficient to inhibit the starch to the desired degree. The dehydration may be carried out by heating the starch, extracting the starch with a solvent, or freeze drying the starch. The starch may be pregelatinized prior to or after thermal inhibition using known methods which do not substantially rupture the starch granules.

Abstract: Thermally-inhibited starches and flours which are functionally equivalent to chemically-crosslinked starches are prepared by a process which comprises the steps of dehydrating a granular starch or flour to anhydrous or substantially anhydrous (<1% moisture) and heat treating the dehydrated starch or flour for a time and at a temperature sufficient to inhibit the starch, (e.g., 120-180.degree. C. for up to 20 hours). Preferably the pH of the starch is adjusted to neutral or greater (e.g., pH 8-9.5) prior to the dehydration. The dehydration may be a thermal dehydration carried out simultaneously with the heat treatment or a non-thermal dehydration carried out by extraction with a solvent (e.g., ethanol) or by freeze drying.

Abstract: Thermally inhibited starches and flours are prepared by a process comprising dehydrating and heat treating a granular starch or flour.

Abstract: Thermally-inhibited starches and flours are used in conventional water-based adhesives such as corrugating, cigarette, remoistenable, kraft adhesives. The starches or flours are thermally-inhibited by dehydrating the starch to anhydrous or substantially anhydrous and then heat-treating the starch or flour for a time and at a temperature sufficient to inhibit the starch and improve its viscosity stability. The starch or flour may be thermally or non-thermally dehydrated (e.g., by alcohol extraction or freeze-drying). Preferably, the pH of the starch is adjusted to at least a neutral pH prior to the dehydration.