Cereal Chem 68:632-636   |  VIEW ARTICLE

Modification of Corn Fiber Through Chemical Treatments in Combination with Twin-Screw Extrusion.

L. Ning, R. Villota, and W. E. Artz. Copyright 1991 by the American Association of Cereal Chemists, Inc. 

Corn fiber modification was achieved through acid, alkaline, and consecutive acid-alkaline treatments in combination with simultaneous thermal treatment. Twin-screw extrusion of the modified corn fiber was conducted to achieve additional fiber solubilization. A comparative study was performed on the functional properties of native and chemically modified corn fiber with and without extrusion. Soluble fiber content increased after chemical treatments alone or in combination with twin-screw extrusion. Consecutive acid- alkaline treatment most effectively increased the solubility of corn fiber. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy revealed altered fiber crystallinity and intermolecular structure after chemical and extrusion treatments.