Properties of Starches from Australian Wheats. Part 1: Separation of Starch and Gluten

Starch and gluten were isolated from flours milled from 21 Australian wheat varieties. Relative yields of starch and gluten varied in general accord with flour protein content. Recoveries of total solids (starch plus gluten) ranged from 67.6% to 85.1% amongst the varieties. Significant differences in proximate composition and amylose content were observed between the isolated starches. This was especially so for starch protein content which was significantly correlated with wheat hardness. Potential benefits exist for the starch/gluten industry in selecting wheats on the basis of minimal loss of total solids during the process, and for purity and amylose content of the isolated starch.