EFFECT OF SUGAR AND GUMS ON THE PASTING PROPERTIES OF CASSAVA STARCH

ABSTRACT Pasting properties of cassava starch solutions were prepared with different types of sugars (glucose, sucrose and fructose) at different levels as 10.71, 19.35, 32.43% and gums (gum acacia, guar gum and gum tragacanth) at 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4% levels, respectively, were analyzed using the Rapid Visco Analyzer. The pasting temperature increased with increase in the sugar concentration in cassava starch–water system and the maximum 78.27C at 32.43% sucrose solution. The peak viscosity (PV) and breakdown viscosity (BD) decreased with increase in the sugar concentration. Hot paste viscosity and cold paste viscosity decreased progressively with increase in sugar concentration in fructose and glucose solution. The PV and BD increased with increase in guar gum concentration and was maximum 5,704 and 3,773 mPa·s at 0.4% concentration, respectively. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Cassava starch performs most of the functions where maize, rice and wheat starch are currently used. In food industry, cassava starch is used in extruded snacks for improved expansion, as a thickener in foods, in processed baby foods as a filler material and bonding agent in biscuit and confectionary, textile, pharmaceutical, paper and cosmetic industries. Cassava starch can be converted to maltotriose, maltose, and glucose as well as to other modified sugars and organic acids. Starch from cassava can be used to make gelatin capsules. Starches and gums are often used together in food systems to provide texture, control moisture, water mobility, improve overall product quality and stability, reduce cost and facilitate processing. Cassava starch, due to its high swelling power, is reported to yield better quality instant noodles.