Physicochemical and Structural Characteristics of Flours and Starches from Waxy and Nonwaxy Wheats

A waxy spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotype was fractionated into flour and starch by roller and wet‐milling, respectively. The resultant flour and starch were evaluated for end‐use properties and compared with their counterparts from hard and soft wheats and with commercial waxy and nonwaxy corn (Zea mays L.) starches. The waxy wheat flour had exceptionally high levels of water absorption and peak viscosity compared with hard or soft wheat flour. The flour formed an intermediate‐strength dough that developed rapidly and was relatively susceptible to mixing. Analysis by differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffractometry showed waxy wheat starch had higher gelatinization temperatures, a greater degree of crystallization, and an absence of an amylose‐lipid complex compared with nonwaxy wheat. Waxy wheat and corn starches showed greater refrigeration and freeze‐thaw stabilities than did nonwaxy starches as demonstrated by syneresis tests. They were also similar in pasting properties, but waxy wheat starch required lower temperature and enthalpy to gelatinize. The results show analogies between waxy wheat and waxy corn starches, but waxy wheat flour was distinct from hard or soft wheat flour in pasting and mixing properties.     

Functional Properties of Cross-Linked and Hydroxypropylated Waxy Hull-less Barley Starches

Waxy hull-less barley (HB) starches containing 0 or 5% amylose were cross-linked with phosphorus oxychloride and the cross-linked starches were hydroxypropylated with propylene oxide. For comparison, waxy corn and potato starches were similarly modified. For all starches, cross-linking inhibited granule swelling and prevented swollen granules from disintegration, resulting in dramatic improvement in pasting properties and tolerance to cooking shear and autoclaving. Cross-linked waxy HB starches were more tolerant to cold storage and cooking shear than cross-linked waxy corn starch. Hydroxypropylation of the cross-linked starches reduced granule crystallinity and gelatinization temperature, and improved granule swelling, paste clarity, and freeze-thaw stability. The double-modified waxy HB starches showed higher cold tolerance than similarly modified waxy corn and potato starches, as judged by freeze-thaw stability and clarity after cold storage. These results indicated that the cross-linked and double-modified waxy HB starches together may have a wide range of food applications. This study indicated that the behavior of granule swelling and disintegration of swollen granules played an important role in governing paste viscosity, clarity, and freeze-thaw stability of waxy HB starches.     

Effect of Amylose Content on Gelatinization,Retrogradation, and Pasting Properties of Starches from Waxy and Nonwaxy Wheat and Their F1 Seeds

We studied the effect of amylose content on the gelatinization, retrogradation, and pasting properties of starch using wheat starches differing in amylose content. Starches were isolated from waxy and nonwaxy wheat and reciprocal F1 seeds by crossing waxy and nonwaxy wheat. Mixing waxy and nonwaxy wheat starch produced a mixed starch with the same amylose content as F1 seeds for comparison. The amylose content of F1 seeds ranged between waxy and nonwaxy wheat. Nonwaxy‐waxy wheat had a higher amylose content than waxy‐nonwaxy wheat. Endothermic enthalpy and final gelatinization temperature measured by differential scanning calorimetry correlated negatively with amylose content. Gelatinization onset and peak temperature clearly differed between F1 and mixed starches with the same amylose content as F1 starches. Enthalpy for melting recrystallized starches correlated negatively with amylose content. Rapid Visco Analyser measurement showed that F1 starches had a higher peak viscosity than waxy and nonwaxy wheat starches. Mixed starches showed characteristic profiles with two low peaks. Setback and final viscosity correlated highly with amylose content. Some of gelatinization and pasting properties differed between F1 starches and mixed starches.     

Properties of Starches from Near‐Isogenic Wheat Lines with Different Wx Protein Deficiencies

To determine the effect of amylose content on the starch properties, the amylose content, pasting properties, swelling power, enzymatic digestibility, and thermal properties of partial and perfect waxy types along with their wild‐type parent were analyzed. As expected, amylose content decreases differently in response to the loss of each Wx gene, showing the least response to Wx‐A1a. Most of the characteristics, except the thermal properties of the amylose‐lipid complex in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), differed significantly among the tested types. Furthermore, the breakdown, setback, and pasting temperatures from the Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) and the enzymatic digestibility, swelling power, peak temperature, and enthalpy of starch gelatinization from DSC showed a correlation with the amylose content. The relationships between the peak viscosity from the RVA and the onset temperature of starch gelatinization determined by DSC with amylose content of the tested materials were not clear. Waxy starch, which has no amylose, showed a contrasting behavior in starch gelatinization compared with nonwaxy starches. Among the nonwaxy starches, lower setback, lower pasting temperature, higher enzyme digestibility, higher peak temperature, higher enthalpy of starch gelatinization, and higher swelling were generally associated with low amylose starches.     

Comparison of Physicochemical Properties and Structures of Sugary‐2 Cornstarch with Normal and Waxy Cultivars

Starches from normal, waxy, and sugary‐2 (su2) corn kernels were isolated, and their structures and properties determined. The total lipid contents of normal, waxy, and su2 corn starches were 0.84, 0.00, and 1.61%, respectively. Scanning electron micrographs showed that normal and waxy corn starch granules were spherical or angular in shape with smooth surfaces. The su2 starch granules consisted of lobes that resembled starch mutants deficient in soluble starch synthases. Normal and waxy corn starches displayed A‐type X‐ray patterns. The su2 starch showed a weak A‐type pattern. The chain‐length distributions of normal, waxy, and su2 debranched amylopectins showed the first peak chain length at DP (degree of polymerization) 13, 14, and 13, respectively; second peak chain length at DP 45, 49, and 49, respectively; and highest detectable DP of 80, 72, and 76, respectively. The su2 amylopectin showed a higher percentage of chains with DP 6–12 (22.2%) than normal (15.0%) and waxy (14.6%) amylopectins. The absolute amylose content of normal, waxy, and su2 starches was 18.8, 0.0, and 27.3%, respectively. Gel‐permeation profiles of su2 corn starch displayed a considerable amount of intermediate components. The su2 corn starch displayed lower gelatinization temperature, enthalpy change, and viscosity; a significantly higher enthalpy change for melting of amylose‐lipid complex; and lower melting temperature and enthalpy change for retrograded starch than did normal and waxy corn starches. The initial rate of hydrolysis (3 hr) of the corn starches followed the order su2 > waxy > normal corn. Waxy and su2 starches were hydrolyzed to the same extent, which was higher than normal starch after a 72‐hr hydrolysis period.     

Utilization of Hydroxypropylated Waxy Rice and Corn Starches in Korean Waxy Rice Cake to Retard Retrogradation

A traditional waxy rice gel cake in Korea, Injulmi, was prepared with hydroxypropylated waxy rice and corn starches (molar substitutions 0.13 and 0.11, respectively), and the textural and retrogradation characteristics of the cake were compared with a conventional cake made of waxy rice flour. In the pasting viscogram, hydroxypropylated starches exhibited reduced pasting temperatures, but increased peak viscosities compared with the unmodified starches. Under differential scanning calorimetry, the T_g′ and ice melting enthalpy of the starch gel cakes were reduced by hydroxypropylation, which indicated that the modified starches had higher water‐holding capacity than the unmodified starches. The degree of retrogradation, as measured by the hardness of the gel cake and the melting enthalpy, was significantly reduced by hydroxypropylation and hydroxypropylated waxy rice starch was more effective in retarding the retrogradation than hydroxypropylated waxy corn starch     

Physicochemical Properties of Normal and Waxy Job's Tears (Coix lachryma-jobi L.) Starch

Physicochemical properties of starches from eight coix (Coix lachrymajobi L.) accessions were investigated. There was considerable variation in most measured traits, generally corresponding to the separation into waxy and normal amylose types. The amylose contents of five normal coix ranged from 15.9 to 25.8%, and those of three waxy coix were 0.7–1.1%. Swelling power of waxy coix starches varied between 28.6 and 41.0 g/g, generally higher than waxy maize. Normal coix starches had significantly higher gelatinization peak temperature (T_p) than the normal maize, 71.9–75.5°C. The T_p of waxy coix starches was 71.1–71.4°C, similar to waxy maize. Rapid Visco-Analyser (RVA) pasting profiles of normal coix showed little variation and closely matched the normal maize starch profile. Pasting profiles of waxy coix showed more variation and had lower peak viscosities than waxy maize starch. Waxy coix starches formed very weak gels, while the gel hardness of normal coix starches was 11.4–31.1 g. Amylose content was the main factor controlling differences in starch properties of the coix starches.     

Structure and functional properties of sorghum starches differing in amylose content

Starches were isolated from grains of waxy, heterowaxy, and normal sorghum. To study the relationship between starch structure and functionality and guide applications of these starches, amylose content, amylopectin chain-length distributions, gelatinization and retrogradation, pasting properties, dynamic rheological properties, and in vitro enzyme digestion of raw starches were analyzed. Heterowaxy sorghum starch had intermediate amylose content, pasting properties, and dynamic rheological properties. Stress relaxation was a useful indicator of cooked starch cohesiveness. Cooked heterowaxy sorghum starch (10% solids) had a viscoelastic-solid type of character, whereas cooked waxy sorghum starch behaved like a viscoelastic liquid. Amylopectin of normal sorghum starch had a slightly higher proportion of chains with degree of polymerization (DP) of 6-15 (45.5%) compared with amylopectin of heterowaxy starch (44.1%), which had a gelatinization peak temperature 2 degrees C higher than normal sorghum starch. Heterowaxy sorghum starch contained significantly lower rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and higher resistant starch (RS) than waxy sorghum starch.     

The Potential of Hull-less Barley

Hull-less barley (HB) has been investigated in many countries for use in feed, food, and industry since the publication of the last review in 1986. Literature published since 1990 on various aspects of HB utilization, other than in monogastric feeds, has been reviewed. Several HB cultivars containing low or β-glucan, low or high extract viscosity, and waxy (0–5% amylose) or normal starch are now available. Interest in HB utilization in the food industry developed largely due to its high β-glucan content, particularly in the waxy cultivars. β-Glucan is a major component of soluble fiber implicated in hypocholesterolemia, hypoglycemia, and in reducing incidence of chemically induced colon cancer in experimental animals. However, large-scale clinical trials using human subjects are needed to corroborate these effects. The zero amylose HB starch had low syneresis or a high freeze-thaw stability suitable for use in frozen foods. Single- or double-modified waxy HB starch may replace corn starch in some food applications, and cationized HB starch can replace corn and potato starches in the pulp and paper industry. HB may be milled using conventional wheat milling equipment to yield bran and flour for multiple food uses. Hull-less barley may also be used as a feed stock for fuel alcohol production, for the preparation of food malt with low or high enzyme activities, and for brewer's and distiller's malts.     

Effects of Amylopectin Branch Chain Length and Amylose Content on the Gelatinization and Pasting Properties of Starch

Structures and properties of starches isolated from different botanical sources were investigated. Apparent and absolute amylose contents of starches were determined by measuring the iodine affinity of defatted whole starch and of fractionated and purified amylopectin. Branch chain-length distributions of amylopectins were analyzed quantitatively using a high-performance anion-exchange chromatography system equipped with a postcolumn enzyme reactor and a pulsed amperometric detector. Thermal and pasting properties were measured using differential scanning calorimetry and a rapid viscoanalyzer, respectively. Absolute amylose contents of most of the starches studied were lower than their apparent amylose contents. This difference correlated with the number of very long branch chains of amylopectin. Studies of amylopectin structures showed that each starch had a distinct branch chain-length distribution profile. Average degrees of polymerization (dp) of amylopectin branch chain length ranged from 18.8 for waxy rice to 30.7 for high-amylose maize VII. Compared with X-ray A-type starches, B-type starches had longer chains. A shoulder of dp 18–21 (chain length of 6.3–7.4 nm) was found in many starches; the chain length of 6.3–7.4 nm was in the proximity of the length of the amylopectin crystalline region. Starches with short average amylopectin branch chain lengths (e.g., waxy rice and sweet rice starch), with large proportions of short branch chains (dp 11–16) relative to the shoulder of dp 18–21 (e.g., wheat and barley starch), and with high starch phosphate monoester content (e.g., potato starch) displayed low gelatinization temperatures. Amylose contents and amylopectin branch chain-length distributions predominantly affected the pasting properties of starch.     

Effects of Granular Structures on the Pasting Behaviors of Starches

Japonica (Tainung 67 [TNu67]) and waxy (Taichung 70 [TCW70]) rice, normal and waxy corn, and cross-linked waxy rice and corn starches were used in an investigation of the influence of the granular structure on the pasting behavior of starch, using small amplitude oscillatory rheometry. Both normal corn and normal rice (TNu67) starches had the highest storage moduli (G′), followed by their cross-linked versions; native waxy corn and rice starches had the lowest. Native waxy starches showed paste characteristics (G′ < 500 Pa; tan δ > 0.2) at concentrations of up to 35%. However, cross-linked waxy starches exhibited gel behavior at 10% concentration (cross-linked TCW70) or higher (cross-linked waxy corn starch). The degrees of swelling power were in the order: TCW70 > native waxy corn > TNu67 ≅ cross-linked TCW70 ≅ normal corn ≅ cross-linked waxy corn starches. Solubilities were in the order: normal corn > TNu67 > native waxy > cross-linked waxy starches. The addition of 2% purified amylose from indica rice (Kaohsiung Sen 7) did not induce gelation of waxy corn starch. Swelling powers of normal corn, TNu67, and crosslinked waxy starches were similar, but normal corn and TNu67 had much higher G′ value. Such results implied that the formation of gel structure was governed by the rigidity of swollen granules and that the hot-water soluble component could strengthen the elasticity of the starch gel or paste.     

Utilization of Oxidized and Cross-Linked Corn Starches in Wheat Flour Batter

Starch is often added to batters to improve the texture and appearance of fried food products. However, comparisons of commercially available starches in terms of batter characteristics are rare. In this study, various corn starches, native or modified, were mixed with wheat flour (20% dry solids basis), and the physical properties of the batters after deep-fat frying were examined. Native corn starches of different amylose contents (high-amylose, normal, and waxy) and chemically modified corn starches (oxidized and cross-linked) were tested. The batter was prepared by adding water to the starch-flour mixtures (42% solids) and deep-fat frying at 180°C for 30 sec. The texture of the fried batter was analyzed using a texture analyzer (TA) with a Kramer shear cell. The pasting viscosity profile of the starch-flour mixtures (7% solids in water) was also measured with a Rapid Visco Analyser. When the native corn starches of different amylose contents were compared, the crispness (peak number before breakage) and hardness (maximum peak force) measured using the instrument were positively correlated with the amylose content in starches but negatively correlated with the residual moisture content of the fried batters. The peak viscosity and breakdown in viscosity profiles of the starch-flour mixtures were also negatively correlated with crispness. The use of high-amylose corn starch was effective not only in increasing the crispness, but also in reducing the oil uptake. However, the fried batter containing high-amylose starch was denser and harder than the batter containing normal starch. Among the modified starches tested, oxidized (0.4% active Cl₂) and cross-linked (4% 99:1 mixture of STMP and STPP) starches showed improvements in the overall properties of the fried batters. With excessive oxidizations (>0.4% Cl₂), however, the crispness was reduced.     

Effect of green tea catechins on the postprandial glycemic response to starches differing in amylose content

The effect of tea polyphenols (TPLs), specifically tea catechins, on the postprandial glycemic response to cooked starches differing in amylose contents was investigated. The in vivo test using a mouse model showed a moderate reduction of the postprandial glycemic response to co-cooked normal (containing 27.8% amylose) or waxy corn starch with 10% TPLs (dry weight of starch), while an augmented glycemic response with a delayed blood glucose peak was observed when high amylose corn starch (HAC, containing 79.4% amylose) was used as the starch component. Enzyme kinetics results demonstrated that TPLs noncompetitively inhibit the digestion of waxy or normal corn starch, while the digestion rate of HAC starch was increased in the presence of TPLs, which supports the observed postprandial glycemic responses. Further studies using X-ray powder diffraction showed that the diffraction intensity (area under the diffraction curves) of normal and HAC starch was increased by 45% and 74%, respectively, whereas no change was observed for waxy corn starch. Consistently, dynamic laser light scattering studies using a solution of pure amylose showed an increased hydrodynamic radius of amylose molecules from ～54 nm to ～112 nm in the presence of TPLs. These experimental results indicate that there might exist an interaction between TPLs and amylose, which facilitates the association of amylose molecules to form a special nonordered structure that can produce a high and sustained postprandial glycemic response. Thus, a combination of tea polyphenols and specific starches could be used to manipulate postprandial glycemic response for glycemic control and optimal health.     

Structural Changes of Debranched Corn Starch by Aqueous Heating and Stirring

Aqueous dispersions (2 mg/mL) of debranched corn starches of different amylose contents (waxy, normal, and high‐amylose) were subjected to extensive autoclaving and boiling‐stirring, and then the changes in starch chain profile were examined using medium‐pressure, aqueous, size‐exclusion column chromatography. As autoclaving time increased from 15 to 60 min, weight‐average chain length (CL_w) of waxy, normal, and high‐amylose corn starches determined using pullulan standards decreased from 46 to 41.2, from 122.1 to 96.3, and from 207.3 to 151.8, respectively. Number‐average chain length (CL_n) measured by the Nelson‐Somogyi method also decreased from 23.0 to 18.4, from 26.4 to 21.8, and from 66.5 to 41.5, respectively, indicating that thermal degradation of starch chains occurred. The CL_w/CL_n ratio for normal corn starch was higher than that for waxy corn starch, indicating an increase in polydispersity of the amylose fraction. Thermal degradation was also observed when the debranched starch was subjected to the boiling‐stirring treatment (0–96 hr). During 96 hr, the CL_w and relative proportion of B≥2 chains of amylopectin released by debranching waxy corn starch increased, whereas those of B1 chains decreased. This change may indicate physical aggregation of B1 chains. But branches from normal and high‐amylose corn starches showed increases in CL_w and the proportion of both B1 and B≥2 chains, along with substantial decreases in those of amylose chains. Therefore, thermal degradation of amylose was greater than that of amylopectin.     

Increase in Apparent Amylose Content and Change in Starch Pasting Properties at Cool Growth Temperatures in Mutant Wheat

Some mutant wheat lines with low‐amylose content were grown in a field and greenhouse (15 or 20°C) to compare apparent amylose content and starch pasting properties. The apparent amylose content of flour and starch increased and starch pasting parameters as measured by a Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) changed in the greenhouse (at cool temperatures) during seed maturation. Densitometric analysis of the protein band separated by electrophoresis suggested that the increase in amylose content by cool temperature was related to the amount of Wx‐D1 protein. This data suggests that the Wx‐D1 gene was responsible for these changes. In wheat starch from Tanikei A6099 and Tanikei A6598 at 15°C, the value of final viscosity and total setback was higher than that from the field. In wheat starch from Tanikei A6599‐4 (waxy mutant with stable hot paste viscosity), the peak viscosity temperature was higher and time maintained >80% of the peak was shorter at 15°C than that from the field. Genetic analysis using doubled‐haploid (DH) lines from a combination of Tanikei A6599‐4 and Kanto 118 (low‐amylose line) showed that apparent amylose content increased and the starch pasting curve and properties changed in waxy progenies similar to Tanikei A6599‐4.     

Associations of Starch Gel Hardness,Granule Size,Waxy Allelic Expression,Thermal Pasting,Milling Quality,and Kernel Texture of 12 Soft Wheat Cultivars

Starches were isolated from 12 soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars and were characterized for waxy (Wx) allelic expression, thermal pasting characteristics, and starch granule size. Gels were produced from the thermally degraded starches and were evaluated using large deformation rheological measurements. Data were compared with cultivar kernel texture, milling characteristics, starch chemical analyses, and flour pasting characteristics. Larger flour yields were produced from cultivars that had larger starch granules. Flour yield also was correlated with lower amylose content and greater starch content. Harder starch gels were correlated with higher levels of amylose content and softer kernel texture. The cultivar Fillmore, which had a partial waxy mutation at the B locus, produced the highest peak pasting viscosity and the lowest gel hardness. Softer textured wheats had greater lipid‐complexed amylose and starch phosphorus contents and had less total starch content. Among these wheats of the soft market class, softer textured wheats had larger starch granules and harder textured wheats had smaller starch granules. In part, this may explain why soft wheats vary in texture. The smaller granules have larger surface area available for noncovalent bonding with the endosperm protein matrix and they also may pack more efficiently, producing harder endosperm.     

Biochemical Characterization of the Wheat Waxy A Protein and Its Effect on Starch Properties

Granule bound starch synthase1 (GBSS1) is a key enzyme in amylose biosynthesis and is encoded by the A, B and D GBSS1 wx loci in wheat. Wheat lines with mutations at the three GBSS1 loci have been identified. We have characterized and compared the grain starch of CDCW6 wheat line (null B and D for GBSS1) with PI235238 (null A and B for GBSS1), waxy (null A, B and D for GBSS1), and AC Reed (wild type wheat) grain starches. The grain starch of waxy, CDCW6, PI235238, and AC Reed lines contained ≈0, 12, 23, and 25% amylose (w/w), respectively. Waxy, partially waxy, and wild wheat grain starches showed significant differences in onset and peak transition temperatures as determined by differential scanning calorimetric analysis. Grain starches extracted from waxy, CDCW6, and PI235238 also had higher enthalpy of gelatinization values than did wild wheat starch. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the highest crystallinity for starch extracted from waxy wheat, followed by CDCW6. The starch produced from the CDCW6 line may find special food and industrial applications because of its relatively low amylose concentration.     

A Comparative Study on Pasting and Hydration Properties of Native Rice Starches and Their Mixtures

Four rice starches were isolated from waxy and nonwaxy rice cultivars collected from different places in China. Individual rice starches were examined, along with their corresponding mixtures in different ratios, in terms of pasting and hydration properties. Analysis by micro‐viscoamylography (MVAG) showed that waxy rice starch and its blends had higher peak viscosity (PV), breakdown (BD), and setback (SB) than the remaining starches and mixtures. Apparent amylose content (AC) was 16.95–29.85% in nonwaxy individual rice starches and 13.69–25.07% in rice starch blends. Incorporating waxy rice starch (25%) significantly decreased the AC. AC correlated negatively with swelling power (SP) (r = ‐0.925, P < 0.01). SP exhibited nonlinear relationship (r² = 0.8204) with water solubility (WS) and both increased with temperature. The correlation showed that WS is also an index of starch characteristics and the granules rigidity affected the granule swelling potential. The results show that turbidity of gelatinized starch suspensions stored at 4 ± 0.5°C generally increased during storage up to five days.     

Starch Characteristics of Waxy and Nonwaxy Tetraploid (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) Wheats

Manufacture of pasta products is paramount for durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum). The recent development of waxy durum wheat containing starch with essentially 100% amylopectin may provide new food processing applications and present opportunities for value‐added crop production. This investigation was conducted to determine differences in some chemical and functional properties of waxy durum starch. Starch was isolated from two waxy endosperm lines and four nonwaxy cultivars of durum wheat. One of the waxy lines (WX‐1) was a full waxy durum wheat whereas the other line (WX‐0) was heterogeneous, producing both waxy and nonwaxy seed. Effects on starch swelling, solubility, pasting, gelatinization, and retrogradation were examined. The full waxy starch had four times more swelling power than the nonwaxy durum starches at 95°C, and was also more soluble at three of the four temperatures used. Starch pasting occurred earlier and peak viscosities were greater for starches from both waxy lines than for the nonwaxy starches, but their slurries were less stable with continued stirring and heating. Greater energy was required to melt gelatinized waxy starch gels, but no differences were found in either refrigerated storage or freeze‐thaw retrogradation, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The results of this investigation showed some significant differences in the starch properties of the waxy durum wheat lines compared to the nonwaxy durum wheats.     

Genetic Diversity in Properties of Starch from Zimbabwean Sorghum Landraces

Starch was isolated from 95 sorghum landraces from Zimbabwe using an alkali steep and wet‐milling procedure. The physicochemical properties of sorghum starch were examined for potential use in Southern Africa. All the landraces evaluated had a normal endosperm indicated by the amylose content of the starches. Starch properties were not correlated to most of the physical grain quality traits evaluated. Grain hardness was weakly correlated to starch gel adhesiveness (r = 0.36) and amylose content (r = 0.38) (P < 0.001). The mean peak viscosity (PV) of the sorghum starches was 324 Rapid Visco Analyser units (RVU) compared with 238 RVU in a commercial corn starch sample; PV was 244–377 RVU. Some landraces had low shear‐thinning starches, implying good paste stability under hot conditions. Pasting properties were highly correlated among the sorghum starches. The starch gel hardness showed considerable variation (44–71 g) among the landraces. Gelatinization peak temperatures were 66–70°C. The thermal properties of starches were not correlated with starch swelling and pasting properties. Genotype grouping by highest and lowest values in each category would allow selection of sorghums based on a specific attribute depending on the desired end use.