Depolymerization, starch

Oxidation also results in starch depolymerization, which is the cause of the low viscosity and improved clarity and stability exhibited by oxidized starches. Oxidized starches are used in foods as coating and sealing agents in confectionary, as an emulsifier and as a dough conditioner for bread, whereas bleached starches are used for improved adhesion of batter and breading mixes in fried foods. 

In order to describe the kinetics of enzymatic starch depolymerization, information on reaction rate, reaction extent, and product distribution profiles are required. Traditional end-group analysis can be used to a limited extent in the first two areas, but will not provide information about the last important subject. Hence, SEC profiles can provide sufficient insight into the mechanism of starch degradation. 

Depolymerization of starch in alkaline solution proceeds more slowly than in acid and produces isosaccharinic acid derivatives rather than D-glucose as a major product. The mechanism involves a -elimination-type reaction (48). 

Enzymes are specific, however. For example, starch is depolymerized using enzymes to D-glucose (dextrose). The solution of glucose is then treated with glucose isomerase [9055-00-9] to give D-fmctose in about 42% yield. No D-mannose is formed. Addition of isolated D-fmctose to this solution gives the common 55% high fmctose com symp (HFCS) so widely used in soft drinks in the United States. HFCS is about 1.5 times as sweet as sucrose. 

D-Glucose is produced by complete depolymerization of starch with enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of both its (1 — 4) and (1 — 6) linkages. Crystalline a-D-glucopyranose is generally sold as dextrose. Glucose is also isomerized to D-fmctose to produce high fmctose com symp (HFCS). 

Since polysaccharides are the most abundant of the carbohydrates, it is not surprising that they comprise the greatest part of industrial utiliza tion (9,22). Most of the low molecular weight carbohydrates of commerce are produced by depolymerization of starch. Polysaccharide materials of commerce can be thought of as falling into three classes cellulose, a water-insoluble material starches, which are not water-soluble until cooked and water-soluble gums. 

Partially depolymerized starch provides decreased fluid losses at much lower viscosities than the corresponding starch derivatives that have not been partially depolymerized [498]. 

While starches are commonly used, they are relatively poor viscosifiers. Acids and bacterial enzymes readily attack the acetal linkages resulting in facile depolymerization. Both formaldehyde and isothiazolones have been used as starch biocides (17). Development of improved high temperature water viscosifiers for drilling and other oil field applications is underway. For the... 

Ultrasound has proven effective in promoting a few heterogeneous nonmetallic reactions. As early as 1933 Moriguchi noted that the reaction of calcium carbonate and sulfuric acid was faster in the presence of ultrasound(4). In the same year Szalay reported that ultrasonic waves depolymerized starch, gum arabic and gelatin(50). Examples of synthetically useful applications are fewer than metallic systems but activity in this arena is increasing. 

Star-branched butyl rubber, 4 437-438 copolymers, 4 445-446 Starch(es), 4 703-704, 20 452-453 as blood substitute, 4 111-112 cationic, 18 114-115 in cereal grains, 26 271-274 in cocoa shell from roasted beans, 6 357t compression effects in centrifuges, 5 513 depolymerization, 4 712 in ethanol fermentation, 10 534—535 etherified, 20 563 as a flocculant, 11 627 high-amylose, 26 288 Mark-Houwink parameters for, 20 558t modified and unmodified, 12 52-53 in paper manufacture, 18 122-123 performance criteria in cosmetic use, 7 860t... 

Oxidized Starches. Alkaline hypochlorite treatment introduces carboxyl and carbonyl groups, effects some depolymerization, and produces whiter (bleached) products that produce softer, clearer gels. Ammonium persulfate is used in some paper mills with continuous thermal cookers to prepare in situ bigb solids, low viscosity dispersions. Most of the hypochlorite-oxidized starch and all the ammonium persulfate-oxidized starch is used in the paper industry. The low solution viscosity and good binding and adhesive properties of these products make them especially effective in high solids, pigmented... 

Gums are tasteless, odorless, colorless, and nontoxic. None, except the starches and starch derivatives, are broken down by human digestive enzymes. All are subject to microbiological attack. All can be depolymerized by acid- and enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of the glycosidic (acetal) linkages joining the monomeric (saccharide) units. 

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