PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ENZYME HYDROLYSED STARCH DERIVED FROM Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench

Abstract

Enzymatic hydrolysis is a safe and efficient process of starch modification which is aimed at improving its
functionality for pharmaceutical use. Aqueous suspension of Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench starch was
hydrolysed for 6 hours at 40 o
C with α-amylase (BAN 240L). The hydrolyzed starch and native sorghum were
characterized with official maize starch serving as standard. The physicochemical tests performed include,
organoleptic tests, moisture content, nitrogen and crude protein content determination, particle size analysis,
moisture sorption and swelling capacity. The micromeritic properties evaluated include, angle of repose, flow
rate, bulk, tapped and true densities, Carr’s index, and Hausner ratio. The percentage yield of the enzyme
hydrolysed starch (EHS) obtained was found to be 74.6 %. The EHS has a normal particle size distribution with
an average diameter of 217μm after 6 h of hydrolysis. The flow parameters of EHS investigated showed an
improvement over native sorghum starch and official maize starch which is typical of modified starches. Results
of the moisture sorption (27.5 %), swelling capacity (9.0), and powder porosity (71.3 %) of EHS suggests that
the starch may be a useful tablet disintegrant.