Main Article Content

Effect of Altered Solvent Environment on the Pasting Characteristics of Pigeonpea (<i>Cajanus cajan</i>) and Cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata</i>) Starches


Mwanjala A Mwasaru

Abstract

The (Brabender) pasting characteristics of pigeonpea and cowpea starches as a function of pH, sucrose concentration, added corn oil and legume protein isolates were investigated. Adjusting pH to 2 resulted in complete loss in paste consistency at 97°C for both starches. For pigeonpea starch, incorporation of corn oil and 10% sucrose resulted in significant (p<0.05) increase in the initial pasting temperature. Separate additions of corn oil and protein isolates caused significant reductions (p<0.05) in the paste consistency of pigeonpea starch at 97° and 50°C, respectively. For cowpea starch, adjusting pH to 2, and the addition of protein and sucrose caused significant (p<0.05) increases in the initial pasting temperature. The paste consistency of cowpea starch at 97°C was decreased and increased significantly (p<0.05) by adjusting the pH to 2 and 4, respectively. Incorporation of corn oil caused a significant increase in the consistency of cowpea starch at 50°C whereas adjusting pH to 4 and addition of protein resulted in significant (p<0.05) reductions. It was concluded that the pasting properties of the legume starches were influenced by both the botanical sources of the starches and altered solvent environment.


J. agric. Sci. technol. Vol.5(1) 2003:80-90

Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1561-7645