摘要 |
The present invention relates to a process for continuous conversion of starch or starch containing materials into hydrolysates such as dextrins, higher sugars, maltose or dextrose. It provides for an extremely fast heating of an acidified or non acidified slurry by spraying it very finely into a chamber containing steam under pressure. The fast heating rate combined with the high operating temperature allow processing times of less than 20 seconds, usually between 1 and 4 seconds during which the starch is converted into the desired hydrolysate without passing through the classical "gelatinized" or "pasted" state. The desired product can be custum tailored from dextrins to glucose, in high yield and low level of degradation products. moreover, the dextrins so produced have a very uniform molecular weight and the process can handle purified as well as impure starch such as ground corn, cassava and deteriorated harvests. |