GB1028212A - Continuous process for the manufacture of starch decomposition products - Google Patents

Abstract

A continuous process for making starch decomposition products comprises adding a chemically and/or biologically-active substance to a starch suspension and passing the mixture continuously through a reaction vessel with temporary acceleration of flow followed by direct mixing with steam, the added substance becoming active during and directly after the steam passage in a field of action of high imposed stress by impacting and/or shearing forces. A suitable reaction vessel is disclosed in Specification 995,660. The starting material may itself be a starch decomposition product. Additives may be enzymes, oxidizing agents, reducing agents, alkalis, acids, salts or organic compounds. The field of stress may be amplified by an ultrasonic field or by irradiation. Reaction with the chemically and/or biologically active substance may be terminated by mixing the reaction product with steam or e.g. ZnSO4, CuSO4 or H2SO4, with repeated temporary flow acceleration. The reaction time may be adjusted by returning the product to a reaction zone, and the dilution and/or temperature may be adjusted by addition of water or chemical solution. In examples, a 15% aqueous suspension of starch containing 0.2% amylase is passed through a direct steam gelatinization apparatus.