Changes in Ackee Starch as Affected by Annealing and Heat Moisture Treatment

The effect of Annealing and Heat Moisture Treatment (HTM) were investigated, on the physicochemical properties of Ackee Seeds Starch (ASS). The ASS was evaluated for moisture, ash contents, pH, loose and packed bulk densities. While the functional characteristics, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), color and pasting characteristics were also determined. Results obtained showed, that there were significant (p<0.05) differences in the proximate contents. The moisture contents were decreased by HTM samples, but were increased by annealing. The ash content was not significantly affected, while the pH was reduced by modifications. The treatments were found to decrease the Oil Holding Capacity, while it increased Water Holding Capacity. The packed densities of the ASS were not affected by modification, but the loosed densities were reduced significantly (p<0.05). Temperature and modification reduced the swelling capacity of the ASS. The SEM observation showed that starch granules were oval, elongated and smooth surfaced in the HMT samples, but smaller, clustered and rough surfaced in the native and annealed samples. The EDS analyses showed varied changes in the elemental components of the ASS affected by modification. The lightness ( L*) value of the native ASS was highest while modifications lower the values. The peak viscosity was significantly (p<0.05) reduced by the modification of the starch. These results indicated, that treatment of the Ackee starch had significant (p<0.05) and desirable effects on the physicochemical properties and thus will reduce wastage of the seed and offer good industrial application of the starch.