Gel Textural Characteristics of Corn, Cassava and Yam Starch Blends: A Mixture Surface Response Methodology Approach

Abstract

Blends of native starches can be used to obtain special sensory properties avoiding the use of chemically modified starches. The mixture design approach was used to analyze the textural properties (hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness and gumminess) of gels obtained with different proportions of yam, corn and cassava starches (6% total solids) and related to microstructural characteristics. Maximum limits of 60% yam starch and 70% corn starch and minimum level of 30% cassava starch were fixed to minimize syneresis under storage. Hardness, adhesiveness and gumminess increased with the proportion of corn starch in the blends. The lowest values of hardness corresponded to the blends containing higher proportions of cassava starch, that has the lowest amylose content. Corn starch was the component that less contributed to cohesiveness. The characteristic high cohesiveness of cassava starch pastes (related to its higher amylopectin content) was reduced when it was mixed in adequate proportions with yam and/or corn starches. Gels containing only yam starch presented syneresis values close to 40% after 24° h storage at 4°C; the decrease of the maximum level of yam starch to 60% as well as the inclusion of cassava starch in the blends reduced weight losses. Disadvantages found in gels containing individual starches, such as exudate in yam and corn starch gels, and excessive cohesiveness in cassava starch gels, are minimized improving their possible applications, when blends are used.