Abstract: A process for preparing a corn starch product that forms a uniform viscous dispersion when added to boiling water. This process comprises heating a mixture of starch, surfactant and water followed by subjecting the mixture to microwave radiation.

Abstract: A process for making an improved starch flocculant by heating an aqueous dispersion comprising about 4 to about 12% starch solids, lime and alum until maximum vicosity is obtained, adding a metal salt and finally effecting hydrolysis by additional heating.

Abstract: A maltodextrin phosphorylase limit dextrin in the presence of maltodextrin phosphorylase and inorganic phosphate, is used as a substrate for alpha-amylase, which initiates a series of enzymatic reactions resulting in a chromogen response which can be used to measure the concentration of alpha-amylase in a body fluid. A novel limit dextrin and its preparation also are described.

Abstract: A hot-water dispersible starch-surfactant product and process for preparing the same is disclosed wherein a blend of granular starch and at least about 0.25% by starch weight of a surfactant containing a fatty acid moiety are subjected to heat-moisture treatment. Heat-moisture treatment is carried out at from about 10% to about 40% by total weight at a temperature from about 50.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C. Also disclosed are acid stable food thickeners obtained by blending the starch surfactant product with one or more gums in the amount of from about 0.5% to about 10% by total weight.

Abstract: A method of modifying cereal starches to produce a clean, odor-free and without off-taste starch that does not develop objectional characteristics during storage. The modification process comprises an alkali treatment of the starch.

Abstract: A cold-water-swelling granular starch material derived from ungelatinized corn starch and characterized by a cold-water solubility of at least 50% is prepared by subjecting granular corn starch, slurried in selected aqueous alcohols, to conditions of high temperature and pressure. The cold-water-swelling granular starch material derived from chemically unmodified (or minimally modified) ungelatinized corn starch has an ability to set to a sliceable gel without cooking or chilling when blended with an aqueous sugar syrup. That granular starch material is particularly useful in food systems of the type which set or gel upon standing such as pie fillings, jellies, demouldable desserts and puddings.

Abstract: A thickener is prepared comprising water and a waxy starch from a selected plant of a wxsu2 genotype, the sol of which starch exhibits superior resistance to breakdown on storage at low temperatures. The starch may optionally be modified. The thickener, which preferably employs a starch extracted from maize, is particularly useful for food applications.

Abstract: A commercially prepared dry food product containing a thickening agent is disclosed. The thickening agent comprises a root starch or a tuber starch having retarded thickening properties. Preparation of the dry food product for ultimate consumption is carried out by adding it directly to boiling aqueous liquid and cooking it therein.

Abstract: The plant comprises a single reactor divided into adjacent cells which communicate together with a limited passage opening. An inlet for a primary starch fraction and an inlet for a starch-reducing product open into one end-cell, an outlet for the glue connects to the other end-cell and an inlet for a secondary starch fraction opens into an intermediate cell. In this intermediate cell a baffle-plate is mounted. A stirrer is mounted in the reactor and comprises in each cell a stirring disc extending eccentrically relative to the geometrical reactor axis.

Abstract: The production rate and yield resulting from the dewatering of starch conversion products containing swollen starch granules resulting from treatments with cationic reagents is improved by the addition to the starch slurry of a water soluble anionic polymer.

Abstract: Instant gelling tapioca or potato starches characterized by forming at least a weak gel having Bloom strengths of about 70 grams are prepared by forming an aqueous slurry of native tapioca or potato starch at a pH of about 5-12, drum drying the slurry to render the starches cold-water-dispersible, and heat treating the drum-dried starch to reduce its viscosity to within defined Brabender viscosity limits. The heat treatment is carried out in a conventional heating device, such as an electric or gas oven or a dextrinizer, for about 1.5-24 hours at about 125.degree.-180.degree. C. Lightly converted (fluidity) starches can also be used to prepare instant gelling starches provided the pH is above 6.5 and the proper time and temperature are selected for the heat-treatment. The instant gelling starch are particularly useful in food systems of the type which gel upon standing, such as pie fillings, jellies and puddings.

Abstract: A bland-tasting starch is prepared by stirring a starch having a distinct cereal or root taste in aqueous slurry form with an acid at about pH 3-5 for at least about 25 minutes, adding an alkaline earth metal oxide to a pH of 5.5 to 8 and stirring, and thereafter filtering the slurry and drying the starch. In a preferred aspect the acid is sulfuric acid, the oxide is calcium or magnesium oxide and the starch is waxy maize. When the starch is dried by drum-drying, a pregelatinized starch is obtained. The resulting starch will not adversely affect the taste of foodstuffs to which it is added.

Abstract: The flavor of waxy maize starch intended for use in thickened food compositions are modified by heat treating the starch to a temperature between about 120.degree. and about 200.degree. C. for a time period of less than 1 hour up to about 24 hours. The heat-treated waxy maize is then pregelatinized and remains flavor-free with a suitable texture for incorporation by mixing in thickened food compositions such as instant puddings.

Abstract: A method of producing improved starch, which comprises subjecting starch having a water content of not more than 50% to a smoking treatment.

Abstract: In apparatus comprising a plurality of hydrocyclone stages connected in cascade as a totally enclosed system, for use in the upgrading of starch or other particulate feedstock, there is provision for recycling part of the underflow stream from the final hydrocyclone stage to the preceding stage.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for cooking or gelatinizng a material in an atomized state, so that there is obtained an easily dryable, uniform and finely-sized product. The material which is to be cooked is injected through an atomization aperture in a nozzle assembly to form a relatively finely-sized spray. A heating medium is also injected through an aperture in the nozzle assembly into the spray of atomized material so as to heat the material to a temperature effective to cook or gelatinize the material. An enclosed chamber surrounds the atomization and heating medium injection apertures, and defines a vent aperture positioned to enable the heated spray of material to exit the chamber. The arrangement is such that the elapsed time between passage of the spray of material through the chamber, i.e., from the atomization aperture and through the vent aperture, defines the cooking or gelatinization time of the material.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive recording sheet, e.g. carbonless copy paper, having a surface coated with rupturable, micro-capsules and large granule cereal starch particles to prevent premature rupturing of the micro-capsules, the starch particles comprising 99% by weight large granules ranging in size from about 12 microns to 40 microns, and at least 22% comprising granules which are 22 microns or larger in size.

Abstract: Gelatinization and dispersion of starch with a starch solvent such as sodium hydroxide and using mechanical shear.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fluidized bed operations wherein the fluidized bed includes an upper fluidized zone and a lower fluidized zone, with each of the upper and lower fluidized zones equipped with agitating means therein. Positioned intermediate the upper and lower fluidized zones are a plurality of tubular zones. Substantially parallel to the fluidized zones is a discharge leg positioned to receive fluidized solids from the lower fluidized zone in which the fluidized solids are fluidized in the leg at a level substantially equal to the level of fluidized solids in the upper zone whereby a portion of the solids can be removed from a repositionable discharge means in the discharge leg. The process involved in this invention utilizes a fluidized system for starch drying wherein the moisture content of the starch supplied to the fluidized bed is controlled to a level not exceeding 27% whereby the fluidized bed can be operated at higher temperatures without damaging the starch.

Abstract: This invention involves a process for preparing a pregelatinized modified starch suitable for use in instant puddings which comprise forming an aqueous slurry containing an ungelatinized starch and an effective amount of sodium or calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate, heating the slurry to a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to gelatinize the starch, and recovering the starch. The resultant pregelatinized modified starch possesses a smoother, creamier mouthfeel and has a high sheen.

Abstract: A starch-containing material is gelatinized in a continuous process by contacting discrete granules of the material with steam under substantial turbulence utilizing a Venturi mixing effect. The water content of the initial turbulent mixture is sufficiently high so as to permit gelatinization at elevated temperature but insufficient to cause formation of an aqueous slurry of the starch-containing material.

Abstract: A method of modifying the viscosity characteristics of a starchy flour by physical treatment, including heating in alcohol in a confined zone. The resulting starchy flour exhibits thin-thick viscosity characteristics when heated, and provides added viscosity in acid systems without breaking down. It has particular application to baby food recipes to impart desired texture and mouthfeel. Oat flour is the presently preferred starchy flour to be treated for use in baby foods.In one embodiment, a starchy flour is slurried in an aqueous organic liquid, preferably ethanol, and is then subjected to heat and pressure for a predetermined time to modify the physical properties of the flour. The specific combination of pressure, temperature, and heating time determine the properties of the treated flour.

Abstract: Non-digestible food additives are prepared by heating starch with an edible di- or tri-basic carboxylic acid and anhydrides thereof acid at 140.degree. to 220.degree. C. under reduced pressure and in the presence of less than 5% water for sufficient time to form a non-digestible product.

Abstract: Semi-flexible, shock-absorbing polyurethane foams containing an amylaceous material, such as a cereal starch or flour, and having an open cell structure are prepared by co-reacting the amylaceous material and a polyether with an aromatic polyisocyanate having a functionality of about 2 to about 2.4. The foams are particularly useful in crash padding.

Abstract: An amylaceous material having alkaline viscosities in the range of 10 to 20 seconds using a 1.3 g sample and 15 to 20 seconds using a 5.2 g sample and having cold water solubles of between 50% and 98% is made by hydrolysis of starting material such as corn, flour, corn meal, corn grits, corn starch, sorghum flour, sorghum meal and sorghum grits at moistures between 5% and 12%, adjusting the pH of the hydrolyzed amylaceous material to between pH 3 and 6, gelatinizing the pH adjusted hydrolyzed amylaceous material, and removing water from the gelatinized product.

Abstract: Polyurethane foams are prepared by reacting an active hydrogen-containing organic compound with an organic polyisocyanate in the presence of a blowing agent and an amylaceous material which has been stabilized (a) by treating with a stabilizing agent containing an effective amount of an antioxidant capable of inhibiting the formation of oxidation products in the amylaceous material upon exposure to an oxidizing atmosphere or (b) by removing substantially all, or at least a major portion, of the oxidizable materials, particularly fatty acids or fats, from the amylaceous material.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for producing modified starch products. In the method of the invention, a slurry of starch is continuously moved at elevated temperature and pressure through a tubular heating zone and the hot fluid mass emerging from the heating zone is forced through a flow restricting zone within which the fluid mass is highly compressed. This highly compressed fluid material emerges from the confining zone into a tubular reaction zone with a sudden release of energy in the form of a fine spray or mist. The compressive forces followed by the sudden energy release act on the starch molecules to temporarily greatly increase the reactivity of the starch within the reaction zone, whereby modified starch products are quickly formed.

Abstract: A process of preparing a starch hydrolysate from wheat, barley or rye comprising the steps of contacting kernels of wheat, barley or rye with an aqueous solution to hydrate and soften the kernels, gently wet-milling the hydrated and softened kernels, separating fibres and pentosans attached thereto as well as germs and gluten from the wet-milled product to form a starch-containing slurry essentially free of insoluble pentosans, carefully washing the fraction to form a refined, starch-containing product, hydrolysing the refined product to form a starch hydrolysate and finally refining the hydrolysate.

Abstract: Process for depolymerizing starch by irradiation in which granular starch, whose water content is at the most about 23%, is subjected, in the presence of an acid which is neutralized at the end of the treatment, to a dose of radiation which is a function of the nature and of the quantity of the acid used.

Abstract: A multi-step process for producing soluble amylose involving the dissolution and dissociation of amylose in a first organic solvent, the hydrolyzation of amylose into lower molecular weight components, and the use of a second organic solvent to form a precipitate.

Abstract: An ingredient for enhancing the texture and organoleptic properties of tapioca-style pudding. Granular starch is pre-extruded under controlled conditions to obtain partially gelatinized spheroidal starch particles for use in tapioca-style puddings. The spheroidal starch particles (or "pearls") retain their spheroidal shape in the finished pudding, thereby providing excellent texture, appearance and mouthfeel to the pudding. The starch pearls, after cooking, consistently provide the highly desired translucent appearance expected in home cooked, tapioca-style puddings.The extrusion process is cooled by water at a temperature below 100.degree. F. at an extrusion rate which only partially gelatinizes the starch. The granular starch is supplied to the extruder at 25-50% moisture, and the extrudates are cut into particles suitable for a particular use by a cutting means as the extrudates emerge from the extruder die orifices.

Abstract: Large diameter starch granules derived from yellow field pea, Pisum sativum (var) and faba bean, Vicia faba L. (Leguminosae) are used to replace scarce arrowroot starch granules as a protective stilt material in microencapsulated coatings, including carbonless copy paper. The "stilt" material is used to prevent premature rupture of the microcapsules and early release of the microencapsulated materials. It has been discovered that the natural granule size, and other granule properties of the yellow field pea and faba bean starches are ideally suited to replace arrowroot starch granules as a protective material. In certain coating processes in which the temperature at the coated surface exceeds the normal pasting temperature of these starch granules, the pasting temperature of the granules can be raised by a crosslinking reaction under temperature and pH conditions to preserve the granular structure of the starch particles.

Abstract: Large diameter legume starch granules including starches derived from yellow field pea, Pisum sativum (var) and faba bean, Vicia faba L. (Leguminosae) which have been treated to remove protein and fiber, and to improve color are used to replace scarce arrowroot starch granules as a protective stilt material in microencapsulated coatings, including carbonless copy paper. The "stilt" material is used to prevent premature rupture of the microcapsules and early release of the microencapsulated materials. It has been discovered that the natural granule size, and other granule properties of the yellow field pea and faba bean starches are ideally suited to replace arrowroot starch granules as a protective material when the naturally occurring protein and fiber have been removed, and the color improved.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of starch hydrolysis products containing mixtures having a dextrose equivalent of 5 to 10 which mixtures have the property of forming together with water, white glossy thermoreversible gels having a neutral taste, which gels are stable to freezing and defrosting and the consistency of which gels may be varied from pasty to cutting hard depending upon the proportion of water contained in the gel, comprising mixing two starch products which in the admixture have an average dextrose equivalent of 5 to 10, the starch products being of respective degrees of polymerization differing from the other by at least ten times and each of the starch products being branched and at least one of the starch products being a starch hydrolysis product.

Abstract: A non-chemically inhibited starch is prepared by controlled heating at a specified pH of an aqueous suspension of an amylose-containing starch in intact granule form and an inorganic salt effective in raising the gelatinization temperature of the starch.

Abstract: An improved method for thinning starch in the granular state employing hydrogen peroxide and metal ion catalysts in an aqueous suspension, free of buffer additions. The thinning action proceeds in acid pH to the desired viscosity level, and is stopped by the addition of sodium metabisulfite, or other reducing agent to remove residual hydrogen peroxide. The aqueous suspension is then neutralized, and the usual purifying and drying steps are effected on the granular product.