WOLFAPPLE (SOLANUM LYCOCARPUM ST. HILL) STARCH: CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

In this study, starch from S. lycocarpum fruit (wolfapple) was extracted to determine physical and chemical properties and provide more information and further evidence on its characteristics. Starch yield was calculated. The chemical composition of the wolfapple starch was determined for ash, ether extract, fiber, protein and amylose content. The shape and size of the granules were assessed, as well as rapid visco analysis (RVA); differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); and crystallographic analysis. The yield of the wolfapple starch was 27.9% and the chemical composition was characterized by the presence of 0.19% ± 0.01 ash, 0.07% ± 0.00 ether extract, 0.32 % ± 0.01% proteins, 0.03% ± 0.01 fibers, and 29.16% ± 0.09 amylose. Starch image analysis presented conical shaped granules with average diameters and respective standard deviations of 16.59 ± 3.68 and 16.52 ± 3.36 μm, for the largest and smallest diameter, respectively. Paste viscosity, calorimetric, and crystallographic analyses showed that the starch from wolfapple has desirable characteristics such as stability at high temperature, making it a promising material in various food and industrial sectors.