Effect of hydrothermal and enzymatic treatments on the physicochemical properties of waxy maize flour

Physicochemical properties of waxy maize flours prepared by hydrothermal and enzymatic treatments were evaluated. Waxy maize flours were hydrothermally treated using heat-moisture treatment (HMT) and annealing (ANN) and enzymatically treated using commercial enzymes (cellulase, proteinase, and pectinase). The HMT-modified waxy maize flours had low water absorption index (WAI), melting enthalpy, viscosity, and crystallinity. However, ANN-modified and enzymatically modified waxy maize flours had high WAI, melting enthalpy, and viscosity. X-ray diffraction analysis of ANN-modified and enzymatically modified waxy maize flours revealed a typical A-type pattern and displayed sharper crystalline peaks than those observed for the control groups (native waxy maize flours). In contrast, the crystallinity of HMT-modified waxy maize flours were decreased by hydrothermal treatment.