Comparative Studies on Some Physico-chemical, Thermal, Morphological, and Pasting Properties of Acid-thinned Jicama and Maize Starches

Comparative studies on acid hydrolysis of jicama and maize starch were carried out using concentrations of hydrochloric acid of 1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5% (w/v), for 3 and 6 h, at 40°C. Native maize and jicama starches showed important morphological, thermal, and structural differences from those of tubers and cereals which potentially offer diverse industrial applications. Jicama starch showed low amylose content (12%) and small size of starch granules. Due to these characteristics, jicama starch was more susceptible to degradation during hydrolysis process than maize starch. Under the experimental conditions employed, the acid degradation was not particularly severe, as shown by scanning electronic microscopy analysis which showed small degraded zones and similar X-ray patterns in both starches. However, jicama starch was more susceptible to acid hydrolysis than maize starch, as revealed by the considerable increase in water solubility index, damaged starch, and crystallinity values. Also, the higher susceptibility of jicama starch than maize starch to the hydrolysis conditions was reflected in the sugar content release during hydrolysis. The relative crystallinity of hydrolyzed maize starches decreased during hydrolysis, while those of hydrolyzed jicama starches increased attributable to the lower amylose content of jicama starch in relation to maize starch. Maize and jicama hydrolyzed starches showed low viscosity values with relation to their native starch counterparts. However, native jicama starch showed lower viscosity values than maize starch, suggesting a lower internal stability of the starch granules during hydrolysis. Both native and hydrolyzed maize starches showed higher enthalpy, T _o, T _p, and T _c values than jicama starch and the broadening of the endotherms decreased during the hydrolysis of both starches.     

Acid thinned jicama and maize starches as fat substitute in stirred yogurt

Jicama and maize starches were hydrolyzed with HCl (1.5, 3.0 or 4.5 g/100 g of starch), at a temperature of 40 °C using two hydrolysis times (3 and 6 h). The acid degradation of both starches was not excessive as revealed by the positive blue value, amylose content, gel formation and gel thermo-reversibility. Jicama starches were more susceptible to acid hydrolysis than maize starches. Hydrolyzed jicama starches showed low values of gel strength and water solubility index, and high values of damaged starch, total sugar content and water absorption index. Stirred yogurt formulated with hydrolyzed starches showed different properties of syneresis index according to the starch type and hydrolysis conditions. Yogurt samples with hydrolyzed jicama starches added did not show significant differences in pH and viscosity. Sensorial testing showed that it is possible to produce yogurt with good functional and sensorial properties using hydrolyzed jicama starches as a fat substitute.     

Physicochemical properties and emulsification properties of maize starch modified by hydrochloric,phosphoric and tartaric acid

Native maize starch (NS) dispersions treated with hydrochloric (HA; 1M, 2M), phosphoric (PA; 1M, 2M) and tartaric acid (TA; 0.67M, 1.33M) were investigated in terms of their morphological, structural and physicochemical properties, including emulsification capacity. The molecular weight of starch was affected by both factors (acid type and concentration). The mean molecular weight (Mw) was decreased by 89% and 11% after treatment with HA (1M) and PA (1M), respectively. TA-treated starch resulted into three distinct size distributions, one of which showed larger Mw as compared to the NS. Dynamic light scattering measurements revealed that the modified starches in aqueous environment were spread in at least two distributions, one of them showing particle sizes higher than 200 nm, whereas the other lower than 200 nm. Clarity of treated starch pastes decreased in the following order: HA > TA > PA > NS. Generally, O/W emulsification and stability properties deteriorated with starch modification. ΤΑ yielded the most stable emulsion among the modified starches.     

Effect of Ultrasonic Treatment on the Physicochemical Properties of Maize Starches Differing in Amylose Content

Normal maize, waxy maize and amylomaize V starches were treated at a moisture content of 70% by ultrasonic treatment. The results showed that the surface of normal and waxy maize starches was porous after treatment and a fissure could be clearly observed in the surface of amylomaize V starch. Ultrasonic treatment did not change the X‐ray pattern of the three maize starches. The swelling power (amylomaize V (B‐type) > normal maize > waxy maize (A‐type)) and solubility (amylomaize V > normal maize > waxy maize), the syneresis of amylomaize V starch and the gelatinization transition temperatures of the three starches increased on this treatment. Ultrasonic treatment decreased the syneresis of normal and waxy maize starches, the enthalpy of gelatinization (amylomaize V > waxy maize ≈︂ normal maize) and the gelatinization temperature range (amylomaize V > normal maize ≈︂ waxy maize) of all starches. A drop in viscosity of all three starches was observed and the viscosity patterns of three starches remained unchanged after ultrasonic treatment. The data showed that ultrasonic treatment degraded preferentially the amorphous regions and more easily attacked linear amylose than highly branched amylopectin.     

Starch characteristics of black bean,chick pea,lentil, navy bean and pinto bean cultivars grown in Canada

The physicochemical properties of starches from different cultivars of black bean, chick pea, lentil, navy bean, smooth pea and pinto bean were examined. Starch granule size ranged from 8 to 35 μm. The starch granules were round to elliptical with smooth surfaces. The total amylose content ranged from 23.0 to 29.5%, of which 6.0–14.9% was complexed by native lipid. All starches showed a ‘C’ type X-ray pattern. The peak at 2θ=5.54 (characteristic of B type starches) was most pronounced in pinto bean and black bean starches. Relative crystallinity followed the order: pinto bean>lentil∼smooth pea∼chick pea∼black bean∼navy bean. The swelling factor (at 80 °C) followed the order: black bean>smooth pea∼chick pea>lentil>navy bean>pinto bean, whereas, amylose leaching (at 80 °C) followed the order: lentil>smooth pea>chick pea>black bean>navy bean>pinto bean. Pinto bean starches showed the highest gelatinization transition temperatures and enthalpies of gelatinization, whereas, the highest gelatinization temperature range was exhibited by black bean starches. All legume starches exhibited high thermal stability during the holding cycle (at 95 °C) in the Brabender viscoamylogram. However, they differed significantly with respect to the viscosity at 95 °C and the degree of set-back. These differences were more pronounced in pinto bean starches. The extent of syneresis followed the order: black bean>chick pea∼lentil>smooth pea>navy bean>pinto bean. Differences in physicochemical properties were more marked among cultivars of black bean, and between cultivars of chick pea and smooth pea starches. This study showed that black bean and pinto bean starches differed significantly from each other, and from the other starches, with respect to the magnitude of interaction between starch chains within the amorphous and crystalline domains.     

Comparison of the morphological,crystalline, and thermal properties of different crystalline types of starches after acid hydrolysis

A‐type maize starch, B‐type Fritillaria ussurensis, and C‐type Rhizoma dioscorea starches were hydrolyzed (32 days) with 2.2 N HCl. Regardless of the crystallinity level, starch with predominant B‐crystalline type was less susceptible to acid degradation than A‐type and C‐type starches, and initial rates of hydrolysis in B‐type was lower than others. The SEM and XRD results revealed that different types of starch displayed different hydrolysis mechanisms. The acid corrosion started from the exterior surface of A‐type and B‐type starches followed by the core of granules. However, the hydrogen ions primarily attacked the interior of the C‐type R. dioscorea starch granules and then the exterior. FT‐IR results confirmed that the amorphous regions in the starch granules were hydrolysed first. After 8–32 days of hydrolysis, the acid‐modified C‐type starch showed typical A‐type characteristics upon analysis of the XRD pattern. The average particle size of hydrolytic starch decreased with increasing hydrolysis time. The thermal results revealed that the hydrolytic starch showed lower ΔH than the native starch, while displaying higher peak width (T_c − T_o) value.     

In vitro Digestibility of Hydroxypropyl Maize,Waxy Maize and High Amylose Maize Starches

Hydroxypropyl derivatives of maize, waxy maize and high amylose maize starches were prepared and characterized. The in vitro digestibility of the raw and gelatinized starches and their derivatives was compared using porcine pancreatic α-amylase. Digestibility of the unmodified starches decreased in the order waxy maize > maize > high amylose maize. Increasing molar substitution (MS) caused a decrease in digestibility for all starch types after gelatinization. Raw maize and high amylose maize starch derivatives showed an initial decrease in digestibility followed by increases at higher MS levels. The digestibility of the raw waxy maize starch derivatives showed a continuing drop as MS increased.     

The effect of the structure of native banana starch from two varieties on its acid hydrolysis

Two banana starches were studied to analyze the effect of the acid hydrolysis on their molecular structure, and the impact in their physicochemical features. The native banana starches exhibit differences in the amylose content, molar mass, gelatinization parameters, X-ray diffraction pattern, and pasting profile. These results suggested that different acid hydrolysis mechanisms may be operative in these two starches. The kinetic hydrolysis is different in both banana starches that are related to the crystalline packing of the starch molecules. This was confirmed by the amylose content, the X-ray diffraction pattern, and the thermal study in the acid hydrolyzed starches at different times. The acid-treated Roatan starch showed higher retrogradation than Macho starch, a phenomenon that increases in the sample hydrolyzed for the longer time. This pattern is related to the amylose/amylopectin ratio, the reduction in the molar mass and the gyration radius. The acid hydrolysis of banana starches, although they have some similarities, they are different.     

Composition,molecular structure,and physicochemical properties of starches from four field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivars

Starch from four cultivars (Carneval, Carrera, Grande and Keoma) of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) was isolated and its physicochemical properties were compared with those of other legume starches. The yield of starch was in the range 32.7–33.5% on a whole seed basis. The starch granules were round to elliptical with smooth surfaces. The free lipid was 0.05% in all starches. However, bound and total lipids ranged from 0.24 to 0.29% and from 0.28 to 0.34%, respectively. The total amylose content ranged from 48.8–49.6%, of which 10.9–12.3% was complexed by native lipid. The degree of polymerization (DP) of amyloses ranged from 1300 to 1350. The chain length distributions of debranched amylopectins of the starches were analyzed using high performance anion-exchange chromatography equipped with a post-column amyloglucosidase reactor and a pulsed amperometric detector. The proportion of short branch chains, of chain length DP 6-12, ranged from 16.2 to 18.6%. Keoma displayed a larger portion (19.4%) of long branch chains (DP>37) than the other three starches (16.2–16.9%). The average amylopectin branch chain length ranged from 22.9 to 24.2. The maximum detectable DP was higher in Keoma (71) than in the other three starches (64–65). The X-ray pattern was of the ‘C’ type. The relative crystallinity was in the range 20.8–25.1%. The proportion of ‘B’ polymorphic form was higher in Keoma (25.6%) than in the other three starches (22.1–24.1%). There were no significant differences in swelling factor. The extent of amylose leaching at 95°C ranged from 25.20 to 26.85. All four starches exhibited nearly identical gelatinization transition temperatures and enthalpies. However, the gelatinization temperature range (T_c–T_o) followed the order: Grande∼Keoma>Carneval∼Carrera. The four starches showed identical pasting temperatures and exhibited only marginal differences with respect to 95°C viscosity and to the increase in consistency during the holding period at 95°C. However, the set-back viscosity for Carneval was lower than that of the other starches. There were no significant differences in the extent of acid hydrolysis. However, susceptibility towards hydrolysis by α-amylase followed the order: Carneval∼Carrera∼Grande>Keoma. The extent of retrogradation (monitored by changes in enthalpy) during storage at 40°C/24 h followed the order: Carneval>Carrera>Grande>Keoma. However, differences in the extent of retrogradation among starches were not discernable by freeze-thaw stability measurements.     

Characterization and Utilization of Acid‐modified Rice Starches for Use in Pharmaceutical Tablet Compression

Acid modified, agglomerated starches offer specific advantages as fillers in production of pharmaceutical tablets. Spray drying can improve processing of tablet mixtures significantly. In order to investigate prerequisites in utilization of rice starch, non‐waxy and waxy types were partially hydrolyzed in 6% (w/v) HCl solution at room temperature for varied length of time to obtain rice starches with increased crystallinity (so‐called crystalline rice starches). Scanning electron micrographs of native and highly crystalline starches were used to study the morphological changes and to suggest the mode of acid attack during hydrolysis. Exo‐corrosion distributed over the surface of acid‐modified waxy rice starch (AWRS) was observed after 192 h of hydrolysis. In contrast, the surface of acid‐modified rice starch (ARS) remained unchanged at 192 h of acid hydrolysis. The amylose content and the median particle size (diameter) were reduced with increasing hydrolysis time. It was found by X‐ray diffraction that the relative crystallinity of acid‐modified starches at >95% relative humidity was clearly increased with prolonged hydrolysis time. For studying tablet properties spherical agglomerates of the native and acid modified starches were directly compressed at 4 kN to obtain tablets. Crushing strength and disintegration time of tablets increased with relative crystallinity. In contrast, tablet friability was reduced. Concerning tablet functionality, the crystalline starches were positioned in overlapping ranges between the common commercial tablet fillers (microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch and lactose, respectively).     

Tailoring a New Sizing Agent via Structural Modification of Pregelled Starch Molecules Part 1: Carboxymethylation and Grafting

Pregelled starch (PS) was subjected to acid hydrolysis using phosphoric acid to prepare pregelled starches having different molecular sizes. The degraded pregelled starches were carboxymethylated at different reaction times. The carboxymethyl derivatives were grafted with either methacrylamide (MAam) or methacrylonitrile (MAN) as vinyl monomers using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as initiator. Suitability of the new graft derivatives of pregelled starch as sizing agent of cotton yarns was studied. It is shown by the data that the extent of carboxymethylation, expressed as carboxyl content, increases by increasing the extent of hydrolysis and reaction time. Furthermore, the graft yield, expressed as mmol MAam or MAN monomer/100 g graft copolymer (grafted carboxymethylated pregelled starch or grafted carboxymethylated hydrolyzed pregelled starch) increases with increasing extent of carboxymethylation and degree of hydrolysis and follows the order: MAam > MAN. In addition cotton yarns sized with grafted carboxymethylated hydrolyzed pregelled starch – irrespective of the grafting monomer used – have better mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, and abrasion resistance) than hydrolyzed pregelled starches, carboxymethylated pregelled starch and carboxymethylated hydrolyzed pregelled starches.     

Starch from hull-less barley: II. Thermal,rheological and acid hydrolysis characteristics

Gelatinization, granular swelling, amylose leaching, viscosity and acid susceptibility characteristics of starches isolated from 10 hull-less barley (HB) genotypes [zero amylose (CDC Alamo), waxy (CDC candle, SB 94794, SB 94912, and SB 94917), normal amylose (Phoenix, CDC Dawn, SR 93102, and SB 94860) and high amylose (SB 94893 and SB 94897)] were monitored by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), swelling power (SP), solubility, Brabender viscoamylography, and reaction with 2.2 N HCl (at 35 °C), respectively. DSC data showed that T_o, T_p, T_c, T_c–T_o, and ΔH ranged from 50.1–56.1, 58.1–64.5, 71.0–75.8, 17.9–24.0 °C and 9.6–14.2 J/g of amylopectin, respectively. In compound waxy (SB 94917) and compound normal (SR 93102 and SB 94860) starches, T_o and T_c–T_o were lower and higher, respectively, than in the other starches. ΔH followed the order: compound normal>waxy>normal≈zero amylose>high amylose>compound waxy. The SP followed the order: zero amylose>waxy>compound normal>normal>high amylose. A rapid increase in solubility occurred at lower temperatures (<70 °C) for zero amylose HB starch, however, this increase was gradual for the other starches. At 90 °C, solubility followed the order: high amylose>compound normal>normal>waxy. Zero amylose and waxy HB starches exhibited lower pasting temperatures, higher peak viscosities, and higher viscosity breakdown than normal HB starches. The extent of acid hydrolysis followed the order: zero amylose>compound waxy>waxy>normal>compound normal>high amylose. High correlations were observed between physicochemical properties and structural characteristics of HB starches.     

Effect of hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin on physical properties and transition parameters of amylose–lipid complexes of native and acetylated starches

The effect of hydroxpropyl β-cyclodextrin (HPβ-CD) on physical properties and digestibility of wheat, potato, waxy maize and high-amylose maize starches before and after acetylation was studied. Effect of HPβ-CD on amylose–lipid complexes in native and acetylated potato starches synthesized using α-lysophosphatidylcholine was also studied. Acetylation increased swelling factor, amylose leaching, peak viscosity and susceptibility to α-amylase hydrolysis, but decreased gelatinization temperature and enthalpy and gel hardness in all starches. HPβ-CD markedly increased swelling factor and amylose leaching in native and acetylated wheat starches but had little or no impact on other starches. Wheat starch gelatinization enthalpy decreased in the presence of HPβ-CD but gelatinization temperature of all the starches was slightly increased. HPβ-CD had no influence on enzymatic hydrolysis. Melting enthalpy of amylose–lipid complex in both native and acetylated wheat starches was decreased by HPβ-CD. Acetylation also decreased the melting enthalpy of amylose–lipid complex in wheat starch. Similar trend of thermal transitions was observed in the presence of HPβ-CD for the amylose–lipid complexes synthesized in potato starch. Acetylation reduces the complex formation ability of the amylose polymer. Similar to gelatinization, acetylation widened the melting temperature range of amylose–lipid complexes while shifting it to a lower temperature. Higher swelling and amylose leaching, and decreased gelatinization temperature and enthalpy resulting from acetylation of wheat starch is consistent with its influence on starch hydration. Similar effects resulting from the inclusion of HPβ-CD were consistent with the disruption of amylose–lipid complex by HPβ-CD which promotes granular hydration.     

Characterization of nanoparticles prepared by acid hydrolysis of various starches

Various starches of different AM contents and origins such as wx maize, normal maize, high AM maize, potato, and mungbean starches were hydrolyzed using a H₂SO₄ solution (3.16 M) at 40°C for 7 days, and the starch particles were isolated from the hydrolysates by centrifugation. The hydrolysis rates varied from 61.4 to 90.9% depending on the starch type. Unexpectedly, A‐type starches were more resistant to the acid hydrolysis than B‐type starches. XRD results revealed that the starch particles with B‐crystalline type exhibited a decrease in peak intensity. In addition, in a DSC analysis, the crystals remaining in the B‐type starch particles were readily disrupted in the water dispersion so that no melting endotherm appeared. Electron microscopy confirmed that the starch particles had round or oval shapes with diameters ranging from 40 to 70 nm, which possibly represented the starch blocklets in granules. The acid degraded mainly AM and long AP chains, resulting in increasing the proportion of short chains.     

酸解时间对大米淀粉结构性质的影响

以4种不同直链淀粉含量的大米淀粉(0%的优糯3号、10.90%的稻花灿、21.03%的聚两优、28.46%的华优香占)为原料,酸解处理不同时间,以酸解大米淀粉的酸解率、颗粒形貌、结晶性质、溶解度的变化为指标衡量不同酸解时间对大米淀粉结构及性质的影响。结果表明,不同直链淀粉含量的大米淀粉具有不同的耐酸性,酸解时间对不同直链淀粉含量大米淀粉的结构和性质有着不同的影响。大米淀粉酸解率与直链淀粉含量成反比,优糯3号为50%而华优香占仅为30%;所有淀粉颗粒在酸解后均产生一定程度的破碎,偏光十字变形直至消失,酸解相同时间,直链淀粉含量高的大米淀粉破碎率低;酸解未改变淀粉的晶型,仍为A晶型;随着酸解时间的延长相对结晶度增加;淀粉的溶解度随着酸解时间的增加而增大。     

Structure of faba bean, black bean and pinto bean starches at different levels of granule organization and their physicochemical properties

The structure and physicochemical properties of pulse starches isolated from different cultivars of faba bean (FB), black bean (BB) and pinto bean (PB) were examined. FB starches exhibited numerous cracked granules, whereas the surface of PB and BB starches showed no evidence of cracks or indentations. Apparent amylose, phosphorus and bound lipid contents ranged from 25.8 to 33.6%, 0.004 to 0.009% and 0.13 to 0.15%, respectively. Variations in the above parameters among cultivars of FB and BB were marginal, but significant (P < 0.05) among cultivars of PB. All starches exhibited a ‘C’ type X-ray pattern. The amount of B-type unit cells ranged from 20.6 to 25.0% (FB), 15.4 to 17.7% (BB) and 7.9 to 17.3% (PB). Relative crystallinity ranged from 20.3 to 21.9% (FB), 20.4 to 21.3% (BB) and 21.3 to 23.1% (PB). Molecular order near the granule surface followed the order: BB ~ PB > FB. Variations in molecular order among cultivars of FB, BB and PB were marginal. Differences in amylopectin chain length distribution among FB, BB and PB starches and among cultivars were marginal. The extent of interaction of amylopectin double helical associations within the crystalline lamella followed the order: BB ~ PB > FB. Amylose leaching (AML) in the temperature range 60–90 °C, gelatinization temperatures and enthalpy of gelatinization followed the order: FB > BB ~ PB, FB > PB > BB, BB ~ PB > FB and BB ~ PB > FB, respectively. Variations in AML among cultivars were marginal in FB, but significant (P < 0.05) in BB and PB starches. Swelling factor (SF) in the temperature range 60 to 85 °C and at 90 °C followed the order: FB > BB ~ PB and BB ~ PB > FB, respectively. Differences in SF among cultivars of FB and BB starches were more significant (P < 0.05) at temperatures below 80 °C, whereas, in PB starches, differences among cultivars were more significant (P < 0.05) at temperatures above 80 °C. Variations in peak viscosity, viscosity breakdown and set-back were marginal among FB cultivars, but were significant (P < 0.05) among BB and PB (PB > BB) cultivars. FB starches were hydrolyzed by 2.2 N HCl at a faster rate than BB and PB starches (BB > PB). The amounts of rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS), resistant starch (RS), hydrolysis index (HI) and expected glycemic index (eGI) followed the order: FB > BB ~ PB, FB > BB ~ PB, BB ~ PB > FB, FB > BB > PB and FB > BB > PB, respectively. Variations in RDS, SDS, RS, HI and eGI among cultivars followed the order: PB > BB > FB. The in vitro digestibility studies showed that PB and BB starches may be more effective than FB starches in controlling blood glucose levels.     

Multiple Phase Transitions of Starches and Nägeli Amylodextrins

At temperatures above that required for gelatinization, an order-disorder transition is observed for wheat, maize, waxy maize and potato starches. This transition is the melting of the crystallites in the granules. A second, higher temperature, transition occurs in wheat and maize starches. This also appears to be a melting transition. Potato starch Nägeli amylodextrins show increased thermal stability of the crystalline regions with increasing hydrolysis of the amorphous regions. Extensive hydrolysis lessens the destabilizing effect of the amorphous regions on the crystallites sufficiently that the gelatinization transition occurs to only a small extent, the crystalline regions melting, instead, at temperatures above the gelatinization temperature.     

ACID-TREATED STARCHES

Acids such as HCl and H₂SO₄ cause scission of the glucosidic linkages, thereby altering the structure and properties of the native starch. The amorphous regions of the starch granule are more susceptible to acid hydrolysis than the crystalline regions. This review summarizes the current knowledge on: (1) the extent of acid hydrolysis of starches from different botanical origins; (2) the changes in molar mass, crystallinity, viscosity, gel rigidity and gelatinization transition temperatures on acid hydrolysis; (3) the effect of annealing, heat-moisture treatment, high pressure, and amylose-complexed lipids on the rate and extent of acid hydrolysis and; (4) the mechanism of acid hydrolysis in an alcoholic media.     

不同链淀粉含量玉米微晶淀粉理化性质研究

分别以蜡质玉米淀粉、玉米淀粉及高直链玉米淀粉为原料,在酸醇介质中制备不同水解率微晶淀粉,测定不同微晶淀粉水解性能并研究其颗粒形貌、结晶结构、溶解度及消化性。结果表明:淀粉颗粒内部结构致密性依次减弱,支链淀粉含量高的淀粉较易被试剂进攻;经酸醇处理后,三种微晶淀粉均保留原来晶型,颗粒形态没明显变化,没破碎和膨胀出现,但颗粒表面变粗糙;随直链淀粉含量增加,相似条件(水解率和温度)淀粉溶解度逐渐降低;in-vitro消化体系中三种淀粉及其微晶淀粉消化速度依次降低。     

Enzymatic hydrolysis of granular native and mildly heat-treated tapioca and sweet potato starches at sub-gelatinization temperature

The effect of mild heat treatment (below gelatinization temperature) towards the susceptibility of granular starch to enzymatic hydrolysis was investigated. Tapioca and sweet potato starches were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis with a mixture of fungal α-amylase and glucoamylase at 35 °C for 24 h. Starches were hydrolyzed in native (granular) state and after heat treatment below gelatinization temperature (60 °C for 30 min). The dextrose equivalent (DE) value of heat-treated starch increased significantly compared to native starch, i.e., 36–50% and 27–34% for tapioca and sweet potato starch, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy examination showed that enzymatic erosion occurred mainly at the surface of starch granules. Hydrolyzed heat-treated starch exhibited rougher surface and porous granules compared to native starch. X-ray analysis suggested that enzymatic erosion preferentially occurred in amorphous areas of the granules. The amylose content, swelling power and solubility showed insignificant increase for both starches. Evidently, heating treatment below gelatinization temperature was effective in enhancing the degree of hydrolysis of granular starch.