Influence of sucrose on thermal and pasting properties of tapioca starch and xanthan gum mixtures Original Research Article

Sugars and hydrocolloids are used in starch-based product formulations during processing for improving the final quality of foods. Effect of sucrose (0–30%) on thermal and pasting properties of 5% w/w tapioca starch (TS) – xanthan gum (Xan) mixtures was investigated using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), rapid visco-analyser (RVA) and rheometer. Sucrose increased gelatinization temperatures and enthalpies of TS and TS/Xan dispersions. RVA pasting temperatures, peak viscosity, final viscosity, breakdown and setback values of TS/Xan mixtures increased with increasing sucrose concentration (p < 0.05). Addition of sucrose in all TS/Xan pastes increased the rate of viscosity breakdown during RVA heating under constant shear and temperature. Setback values of TS/Xan pastes increased with sucrose addition but decreased significantly with increasing Xan content. Xan enhanced thermal stability of steady shear viscosities to TS pastes with and without sucrose. Linear regression from pasting profile revealed a good relationship for predicting final viscosity. These results could facilitate the development of TS-based products with improved thermal and pasting properties.