| Abstract: | This research was designed to assess the utility of a four-column high performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) system to characterize starch-based carbohydrates of different sizes. Corn starches with varying amounts of amylose were treated with 16% sulfuric acid to create Nägeli amylodextrins. During treatment, sub-samples were taken at various intervals from 0–100 days. The washed, dried sub-samples were chromatographically analyzed using four Shodex lonpak columns linked in series. Chromatograms showed the progressive depolymerization of starch. Pullulan molecular weight standards were used to estimate amylodextrin molecular weights (MW). Number-average MWs of amylodextrins decreased as the original starches' amylopectin content decreased. A single HPSEC system can be effectively used to characterize carbohydrates ranging in size from starch to amylodextrins; and to monitor the acid (or enzyme) depolymerization of starches. |
