Effects of Growth Temperature on Some Structural Properties of Crystalline Lamellae in Starches Extracted from Sweet Potatoes (Sunnyred and Ayamurasaki)

Thermodynamic characteristics defining gelatinisation (modelled as ‘melting’) processes for starches extracted from two sweet potato cultivars (Ayamurasaki and Sunnyred) grown in soil at different temperatures (15, 21, 27 or 33 °C) were studied using high sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The gelatinisation temperatures for all starches were elevated significantly with increasing growth temperature. A linear correlation between growth temperature and gelatinisation temperature of extracted starches was found for both cultivars. The increase of gelatinisation temperatures was associated with almost constant or slightly increased enthalpy (Ayamurasaki) but with moderate elevation of crystalline lamellae thickness (Sunnyred). Elevation of gelatinisation temperatures by 8‐9 °C by DSC for starches heated in 1.5 M aqueous KCl were found in comparison with aqueous starch dispersions. The crystalline polymorphic form was confirmed as A‐type using wide angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS). The values of the thermodynamic surface parameters characterising the faces of crystalline lamellae of these starches were calculated. Two endothermic peaks were observed by DSC for starches grown at 15 °C when suspended in 1.5 M KCl solution. The first peak was ascribed to the melting of B‐type structure while the second one was attributed to the melting of A‐type structure. As a conclusion it was suggested that these starches contain C‐type polymorphic structures.