Physicochemical Properties of Sweet Potato Flour and Starch as Affected by Blanching and Processing

The effects of blanching on physicochemical properties of flours and starches prepared from two varieties of sweet potatoes (Mun‐Kai and Negro) were studied and compared. The pasting temperature and peak viscosity of starches, respectively, were 74 and 80 °C and 381 and 433 RVU. The pasting temperature (74.0‐94.8 °C) of flours was greater than that of starch, depending on the variety and blanching process. However, the peak viscosity (ca. 103‐120 RVU) of flours was lower than that of the corresponding starches. Partial gelatinization of starch granules was observed as a result of a 1‐min blanching. Composition of starch and flour was found to affect swelling power and solubility. The starch content of starches, flours from unblanched sweet potato and flours from 1‐min blanched sweet potatoes were 97; 66.3 and 74.9; as well as 36.6 and 40.4%, respectively. Amylose content of flours and starches varied from 17.2‐20.8%.