Buffalo Gourd Root Starch. Part IV. Properties of Hydroxypropyl Derivatives

The root starch of Cucurbita foetidissima, or buffalo gourd, has physicochemical characteristics intermediate to those of cassava and maize. However, unlike other root starches, buffalo gourd starch pastes retain peak viscosity under application of stress. Nutritional and organoleptic evaluation have shown suitability of this starch for food use. Buffalo gourd starch pastes retrograde when subjected to low temperature storage to a degree similar to that of maize. Stabilization of buffalo gourd starch (DS 0.04, 0.05, 0.06) with propylene oxide protects against the retrogradative response. Rheological examination of hydroxypropylated buffalo gourd starch shows depressed initial pasting temperatures, with increased and sustained viscosity throughout the pasting cycle.