June 23/Abeokuta, Nigeria/Food Business Week -- "The effect of cassava starch inclusion (10-30%), as a preconcentration step, on the functional properties of starch-albumen powder (SAP) was studied. A natural convective hot air drying method at 40-60C was used," researchers in Abeokuta, Nigeria, report.
"Drying time at loading density of 0.5kg/m(2) ranged from 7.4-8.0 hours (about 22-32% reduction in time for drying pure liquid albumen). The products had safe moisture levels ranging from 6.0-8.0% (dry basis). Generally, the functional properties of SAP were not significantly affected by the drying temperature when compared with pure albumen powder. With increasing starch content, the foaming capacity, foam stability, oil absorption capacity and emulsion stability were enhanced (P<0.05), whereas the emulsion capacity of SAP was significantly reduced (P<0.05)," wrote T.A. Shittu and colleagues, University of Agriculture.