Talk:Starch gelatinization

"Gelatinization is also known as the thickening of liquids" - statement is not true and is misleading

It is true that gelatinization of starches are often involved in thickening liquids but under many circumstances gelatinization could happen with no thickening of liquids. One example is given in the previous parigraph - popcorn. The starches in pop corn gelatinize during popping but no thickening happens. Also, if there is an excess of liquid as compared to the amount of starch, little or no thickening occurs. Finally starches could be modified (are modified?) in a way that inhibits thickening - though gelatinization still occurs. From a technical standpoint, once the birefrigence is lost, gelatinization has occured. This happens on heating with some amount of water. Whether or not the granules swell and burst and the starch molecules are released is dependent more on other factors - gelatinization has to occur BEFORE the swell and busting happens. It would be more correct to call the swelling and bursting "pasting" than to call it gelatinization. This statement also suggests that the reverse is true - gelatinization = thickening:thickening = gelatinization. Obviously not true since there are many other ways to cause thickening to occur - from reducing liquid that has other solids to using other hydrocolloids or gelling agents that can bind the water.204.76.113.52 (talk) 22:41, 19 July 2011 (UTC)