Kanzaki Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd.

Yoshio Hasizume

Ryuzo Hayashi

Akio Kariyone

A method and apparatus for the determination of the average molecular weight, average chain length or dextrose equivalent of starch and related carbohydrates containing glucose units. The starch is analyzed by determining the free glucose amount (Gf) contained in starch or related carbohydrate sample, determining a gross glucose amount (Gt) rendered by hydrolysis of starch or related carbohydrates, and further determining a glucose amount (Gr) rendered by hydrolysis of a reduced product which is obtained by reduction of reducing terminals contained in starch or related carbohydrate. The average molecular weight, average chain length or dextrose equivalent of the starch is determined using the formulas stated below from the measured amounts of the free glucose amount (Gf), and the glucose amount (Gr). The apparatus preferably utilized immobilized enzymes to conduct the hydrolysis of the starch sample, contains a device for recognizing and storing the measured values and computed data, and contains further a device for computing average molecular weight (Ma), average chain length (Dp) or dextrose equivalent value (DE) according to the following expressions: Dp=2.multidot.Gt/(Gt-Gr+Gf), Ma=18(19.multidot.Gt+Gf-Gr)/(Gt-Gr+Gf), DE=1000(Gt-Gr+Gf)/(19.multidot.Gt-Gr+Gf), or DE=1000/(9.multidot.Dp+1).

Growing community of inventors

Akashi, Japan

Yoshio Hasizume