ISOLATION AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF CROSSBREED AND OPEN POLLINATED MAIZE STARCHES FROM ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Crossbreed maize starch with code name of BH-546 and open pollinated maize starch, Gibe-3 Zea mays are a potential source of starch in Ethiopia. Physicochemical properties of BH-546 starch such as, densities, flow, swelling power, percentage solubility, moisture sorption, lipid and protein content, and ash values were investigated and compared to those of Gibe-3 starch. Moisture content, water absorption capacity, solubility and chemical compositions were found to be significantly different. Moisture sorption increased generally with relative humidity. Total lipid content of (BH-546) starch was found to be 7.95% which is higher than that of the (Gibe-3) Zea mays starch (7.55%). These values are higher than those reported on the maize whole kernel starches (4%) but lower than those reported for Maize germ (wet milling) starch (40%) and Maize germ (dry milling) starch (20%). In conclusion, crossbreeding affects the physicochemical properties of maize starches.