Model for gelatinization of wheat starch in a twin-screw extruder

Wheat starch was processed in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder, at moisture contents 25% and 30%, screw speeds 200 and 300 rpm, feed rate 30 kg/hr, and barrel temperature settings 100, 120, 140, and 160 degrees C. Degree of starch gelatinization at each point along the extruder channel was determined by sampling and analyzing material inside the extruder. Kinetics of the gelatinization during extrusion was investigated. A first-order rate equation was developed to predict degree of starch gelatinization during extrusion. The rate constant was a function of both temperature and shear stress