Malcolm Blake has researched and written about nutrition, diet and weight loss. To see more of his writing, visit his article about how to get a flat stomach.
In the production of glucose by the hydrolysis of starch, a considerable quantity of fat occurs in the glucose liquor. From the previous treatment of the raw starch this fat appears to be an inherent part of the starch itself. This investigation was undertaken to determine whether fat is really combined with the carbohydrate in the starch molecule.
It was shown that:
(a) Fat is liberated upon the hydrolysis of starch.
(b) Although no definite compound of carbohydrate and fat was isolated in pure condition, still a residue relatively high in fat content was obtained.
(c) The fatty acid of the fat was chiefly palmitic.
(d) The palmitic acid was combined with an unsaturated material, of unknown composition, as an ester.
(e) The unsaturated material served as a link between the palmitic acid and the carbohydrate part of the starch.
It has been shown that maize starch cannot be regarded as simply made up of glucose, but contains a minor constituent, a fatty substance made up of palmitic acid and an unsaturated material whose composition is still unknown.
Fat associated with starch: It is well known that the starches as they are obtained ordinarily from the plants have a certain amount of fat associated with them. It has been assumed generally that this fat can be removed by solvents, and that its presence is a contamination of the starch with other constituents which occur intimately associated with the starch in the plant.
In the manufacture of glucose commercially from corn starch an insoluble product known as "refinery mud" occurs in the sugar liquor after the hydrolysis, and is separated by filtration. This refinery mud as recovered contains about 50% of fat, chiefly the higher fatty acids, and after washing and other treatment is sold as soap stock.
Considering the process employed in the commercial hydrolysis of starch it is improbable that the source of this fatty material can be attributed to extraneous matter accompanying the starch from the kernel, since its presence is observed only during or after the destruction of the starch by hydrolysis. The occurrence of free fatty acids during the hydrolysis and disruption of the complex starch molecule leads to the
interesting question of whether the fatty material constitutes an inherent part of the starch itself.
The present article is an account of an attempt to answer this question, and the results obtained lead to the following conclusions :
I. The major part of the fatty material present in starch cannot be removed by solvents before hydrolysis.
II. Hydrolysis of corn starch freed of extraneous fat liberates fatty acids.
III. The liberated fat is principally palmitic acid, but an unsaturated substance of unknown structure also occurs with it.
IV. The fat is liberated when hydrolysis has reached the erythrodextrin stage.
V. It is possible to obtain from starch residues containing relatively large amounts of fat combined with carbohydrate.
VI. The palmitic acid apparently is attached indirectly to the carbohydrate, but directly to the unsaturated component.
VII. Starches from other sources than corn also contain combined fat.
VIII. Extraneous Fat Accompanying the Starch.
The corn starch used was the best alkali-washed product available in the open market. A 82.26 g. sample of this material was extracted, first with ether, then with petroleum ether and finally with carbon tetrachloride. The duration of the extraction in each case was 36 hours.
The amount of soluble matter, chiefly fat, obtained by means of each successive solvent was Solvent. Ether (dry) 0.057, Petroleum ether 0.012, Carbon tetrachloride 0.046, total 0.115. Further extraction gave no weighable residues upon evaporation of the solvent. The residues, obtained by evaporation of the solutions from the first extractions and the weights of which are given in the table above, were yellow and gummy.
Upon solution in alcohol and titration with alkali, the combined residues gave an acid value 1 of 95.1. A comparison of this acid number with 186.0, that of the fat described under II, indicates the presence of considerable foreign matter, probably nitrogeneous in character.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Raw Food Diet: Different Types and Their Health Benefits
- The Raw Food Diet
- The Advantages Of A Raw Food Diet
- Types of Raw Food Diet
- Heal your Body With a Raw Food Diet
- Baby Food Diet For Adults?
- Raw Food Diet: How Many Percent Raw Do We Have to Eat to be Considered a Raw Foodist?
- Feel Great With the Raw Food Diet




Using Calorie Counting As A Way Of Losing Weight
By: reza desita | 03/12/2009Calorie Counter is a calorie monitoring device which provides a visual output, by comparing the number of calories burned by an individual versus the calorie intake for the individual. Calorie Counter is great for people who are on a calorie controlled diet. For many overweight people this may mean they will have to break some old and unhealthy habits
Solid reasons why nearly all crash diets will fail
By: Chris Strogilis | 02/12/2009A crash diet is interpreted by our bodies as a real menace for their existence.
Fat Loss 4 Idiots Handbook - Does it Work or Not?
By: Richard Longe | 02/12/2009Fat Loss 4 Idiots is a popular online dieting program. Does it actually work?
Fat Loss 4 Idiots Guide - Does it Work or Not?
By: Richard Longe | 02/12/2009Fat Loss 4 Idiots is a popular online dieting program. Does it actually work?
Irritable Bowel Diet - Learn Which Food is Torturing Your Bowel
By: Michael Tanner | 02/12/2009IBS or irritable bowel syndrome can sometimes go on for many years, depending on how you or cope with the problem. A good way to deal with IBS is through learning the right irritable bowel diet. How? By knowing which food can trigger your symptoms, so you can avoid them...
Weekly Diet Plan Tips For Maximum Fat Loss
By: Christian Walker | 02/12/2009It doesn't matter is a diet plan promises you the moon! If you can't stick with it you will only get the fat. See how chunking your diet into a weekly diet plan can make the difference between success and failure.
Fat Loss 4 Idiots Generator - Does it Work or Not?
By: Rick Hammon | 02/12/2009Fat Loss 4 Idiots is a popular online dieting program. Does it actually work?
The Food Factor - Stocking Up
By: Terry G Ravary | 02/12/2009There are no two ways about it - if you buy junk food, convenience foods or unhealthy snacks, your kids are going to eat them. You cannot develop a healthy eating plan with cupboards full of rubbish. It won't work. The temptation will be too great for children to resist, and you may also be tempted to give in to their demands even if there are other options available. If a child wails, begs and argues for chips or chicken nuggets for long enough, chances are that most parents will give in eventu
An Introduction to Criminology
By: Malcolm Blake | 07/08/2008 | LawFew subjects arouse so universal or so deep an interest as the study of crime. This interest is due in the main to the adventurous and romantic traits in human nature.
Dietetics and Its Affect on Physical and Mental Health
By: Malcolm Blake | 23/07/2008 | NutritionThis is a short article giving an introduction to the subject of Dietetics, diet and the effect on both mental and physical health.
Factors to Consider for a Diet for Health
By: Malcolm Blake | 23/07/2008 | NutritionThis short article covers some of the factors to consider when panning a diet for health. It covers some of the key body needs and the different types of food.
What Makes An Adequate Diet
By: Malcolm Blake | 23/07/2008 | NutritionA short article covering some of the main points to consider in what makes up an adequate diet.
The Affects of Starch and Fat in the Diet
By: Malcolm Blake | 23/07/2008 | NutritionThis article is about how fat is connected with starch in the diet and the effect it has on one's diet and health.
Dietetics and the Basic Needs of the Body
By: Malcolm Blake | 23/07/2008 | NutritionA short article covering some simple aspects of dietetics. The article covers the basic functions and needs of the body and how this relates to diet.
Factors of Nutrition and Health
By: Malcolm Blake | 22/07/2008 | NutritionThis is a short article covering some of the aspects of nutritional needs and nutritional factors which can cause illness.
Digestion and Diet of Children
By: Malcolm Blake | 22/07/2008 | NutritionA short article which covers some of the key factors invloved in the digestion and dietary needs of children. This is helpful when planning meals for children.