A A C C   2 0 0 0   A n n u a l   M e e t i n g

Raw material variability is common for starch processors and is responsible for increased processing costs. These increased costs result from excess capacity and reduced processing rates to account for fluctuation in raw material quality. Through the use of starches from specific corn hybrids, raw material variability would be reduced. The reduction of variability in raw materials would enable processors to design modification processes that run efficiently with increased final product quality. Currently, there are no published studies evaluating the modification of starch from specific corn hybrids. In this study, the variability of starch modifications due to the influence of hybrid was quantified. Five waxy yellow dent hybrids and nine normal yellow dent hybrids were wet milled in the laboratory. The starch obtained from each hybrid was modified according to a lab scale acetylation procedure. The reaction rate, acetyl content, pH, and amount of NaOH used were recorded for each reaction to evaluate reaction efficiency. After modification, a Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) was used to characterize the modified starch and determine differences in modified starches from different hybrids. Some variation among hybrids with regards to reaction rates, pH, and the amount of NaOH used to control each reaction was also noted, but to a lesser extent than final product variation. The effect of hybrid was also related to differences in processing costs.