3.4. Scanning electron microscopy
In this study the microstructure of the corn starch gels were
examined after freeze drying. Vertical sections inside the dried gels
were observed by SEM (Fig. 4). The appearance of the gel structures
differed according to the time and speed of mixing used during
gelatinization of the gels. It appears that as the time and speed of
mixing increased, the air cells in the sponge-like dry samples
became larger. The structure of the starch gel prepared at 15 rpm
and 10 min differed from that prepared at 350 rpm for 10 min and
15 rpm for 45 min. It seems that increasing mixing speed and time
during corn starch pasting has an influence on starch gel structure.