Effects of NaOH treatment of cereal starch granules on the extent of granular starch hydrolysis

Effect of NaOH treatment on granular hydrolysis of cereal starches was studied and granular starch hydrolyzing enzyme is used to hydrolyze native and NaOH-treated starch for 24?h. The dextrose equivalent value of NaOH-treated starch increased significantly compared to native starch, i.e., 28–38?% for corn, 7–37?% for rice, but no significant increase for corn starch. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed that NaOH treatment caused an enlargement of pores and degrades the surface of starch granules. Hydrolyzed-treated starch exhibited rougher surface and more porous granules compared to native starch. The swelling power and pasting properties of NaOH-treated starches were markedly altered after hydrolysis. X-ray pattern of all starches showed no changes and the amylose content decrease significantly after hydrolysis, which could due to extensive degradation of amorphous region. Evidently, NaOH treatment below gelatinization temperature was effective in enhancing the degree of granular starch hydrolysis.