Corn Starch

Description

Corn starch or maize starch is the starch derived from the corn (maize) grain.The starch is obtained from the endosperm of the kernel. Corn starch is a common food ingredient, used in thickening saucesor soups, and in making corn syrup and other sugars.It is versatile, easily modified, and finds many uses in industry as adhesives, in paper products, as an anti-sticking agent, and textile manufacturing.It has medical uses, such as to supply glucose for people with glycogen storage disease.

History

Cornstarch was discovered in 1840 by Thomas Kingsford, superintendent of a wheat starch factory in Jersey City, New Jersey.[dubious – discuss] Until 1851, corn starch was used primarily for starching laundry and other industrial uses.

Application

Culinary

Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent in liquid-based foods (e.g., soup, sauces, gravies, custard), usually by mixing it with a lower-temperature liquid to form a paste or slurry. It is sometimes preferred over flouralone because it forms a translucent, rather than opaque mixture. As the starch is heated, the molecular chains unravel, allowing them to collide with other starch chains to form a mesh, thickening the liquid (Starch gelatinization).

It is usually included as an anticaking agent in powdered sugar (confectioner's sugar).

A common substitute is arrowroot, which replaces the same amount of cornstarch.

Food producers reduce production costs by adding varying amounts of cornstarch to foods, for example to cheese and yogurt.

Chicken nuggets with a thin outer layer of cornstarch allows increased oil absorption and crispness after the latter stages of frying.

Non-culinary

Baby powder may include cornstarch among its ingredients. Cornstarch can be used to manufacture bioplastics and may be used in the manufacture of airbags.

Medical

Cornstarch is the preferred anti-stick agent on medical products made from natural latex, including condoms, diaphragms, and medical gloves.

Cornstarch has properties enabling supply of glucose to maintain blood sugar levels for people with glycogen storage disease.Cornstarch can be used starting at age 6–12 months allowing glucose fluctuations to be deterred.