Cornstarch, or cornflour, is the starch of the maize grain, commonly known as corn. Starch, CAS # 9005-25-8 Chemical formula (C6H10O5n is a Polysaccharide Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica It is also ground from the endosperm, or white heart, of the corn kernel. Endosperm is the tissue produced in the Seeds of most Flowering plants around the time of fertilization A seed (in some plants referred to as a kernel) is a small embryonic Plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat usually with some stored It has a distinctive appearance and feel when mixed raw with water or milk, giving easily to gentle pressure but resisting sudden pressure (see Non-Newtonian fluid). Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. Milk is an opaque white liquid produced by the Mammary glands of female Mammals (including Monotremes. A non-Newtonian fluid is a Fluid whose flow properties are not described by a single constant value of Viscosity. It is usually included as an anti-caking agent in powdered sugar (10X or confectioner's sugar). Sugar is a class of edible Crystalline substances mainly Sucrose, Lactose, and Fructose. Powdered sugar, also known as confectioner's sugar or icing sugar, is a very finely ground form of Sugar. For this reason, recipes calling for powdered sugar often call for at least light cooking to remove the raw cornstarch taste.
The composition of cornstarch varies depending upon the feedstock, but it may be considered to be approximately 25% amylose and 75% amylopectin. Amylose ( CAS # 9005-82-7 is a planar Polymer of Glucose linked mainly by α(1→4 bonds Amylopectin ( CAS # 9037-22-3 is a highly branched Polymer of Glucose found in plants [1]
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Uses
Cornstarch is often used as a binder in puddings and similar foods. A binder is an ingredient used to bind together two or more other materials in mixtures Pudding most often refers to a Dessert, but can also be a savory dish Most of the packaged pudding mixes available in grocery stores include cornstarch. Cornstarch puddings can be made at home easily by using a double boiler. A bain-marie (also known as a water bath) is a French term for a piece of equipment used in Science, Industry, and Cooking to The most basic such pudding is made from milk, sugar, cornstarch and a flavoring agent.
Cornstarch can be used as a thickener in many recipes. Because cornstarch tends to form lumps when mixed with warm or hot water, it is best dissolved in cold water. It is also found in many gluten-free recipes. A gluten-free diet is recommended amongst other things in the treatment of Coeliac disease and Wheat allergy.
Cornstarch also has many uses in the manufacturing of environmentally friendly products. For example, in 2004, the Japanese company Pioneer announced a biodegradable Blu-Ray disc made out of cornstarch. ( is a Multinational Corporation that specializes in digital entertainment products based in Tokyo, Japan. Biodegradation is the process by which organic substances are broken down by the enzymes produced by living organisms [2] The use for the plastic is vast, as it is a renewable plastic that has the benefits of being biodegradable, used in injection molding, in extruders, and other common milling processes. Biodegradation is the process by which organic substances are broken down by the enzymes produced by living organisms Injection molding (British moulding Extrusion is a process used to create objects of a fixed cross-sectional profile [3]
Cornstarch has been used as a replacement for talc in baby powder. Talc (derived from the Persian via Arabic talq) is a Mineral composed of Hydrated Magnesium Silicate with Baby powder is an Astringent powder used for preventing rashes on the area covered by a Diaper (see Diaper rash)
A mixture of 1 part water to 1. 5–2 parts cornstarch is a popular classroom demonstration of a dilatant (shear-thickening) fluid, often called Oobleck. A dilatant (also termed shear thickening) material is one in which Viscosity increases with the rate of shear. Oobleck is a fictional form of green precipitation invented by children's author Dr When struck, cut with a knife, or worked vigorously in the hands, it behaves like a pliable solid, but if allowed to sit for a few seconds, it flows as a viscous liquid. It can also be used for making highly flammable and explosive jellies.
Manufacture
The corn is steeped for 30 to 48 hours, which ferments it a little. The germ is separated from the endosperm and those two components are ground separately (still soaked). The germ is the "heart" of the Cereal kernel the Embryo of the Seed. Endosperm is the tissue produced in the Seeds of most Flowering plants around the time of fertilization Next the starch is removed from each by washing. It is separated from the gluten and other substances, mostly in hydrocyclones and centrifuges, and dried. Gluten is a composite of the proteins Gliadin and Glutenin. These exist conjoined with Starch, in the Endosperms of some A hydrocyclone is a device to classify/separate or sort particles in a liquid suspension based on the densities of the particles A centrifuge is a piece of equipment generally driven by a motor that puts an object in Rotation around a fixed axis, applying a force perpendicular to the axis (The residue from every stage is used in animal feed and other products. In Agriculture, fodder or animal feed is any Foodstuff that is used specifically to feed Domesticated Livestock, such as ) Finally the starch may be modified for specific purposes. Modified starch is a food additive which is prepared by treating Starch or starch granules causing the starch to be partially degraded [4]
Other
Amylophagia is a condition involving the compulsive consumption of excessive amounts of purified starch, often cornstarch. Amylophagia is a condition involving the compulsive consumption of excessive amounts of purified starch [5]
Other names and varieties
- Called cornflour in New Zealand, Australia and the UK. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located
References
- ^ Yahoo! Answers - What is the chemical composition of Cornstarch?
- ^ Pioneer Makes Blu-Ray Discs from Cornstarch
- ^ http://www.japan-cornstarch.com/hh_13.htm
- ^ [1]
- ^ Arch Fam Med - Amylophagia Presenting as Gestational Diabetes, July 2000, Jackson and Martin 9 (7): 649
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