Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2025

High-throughput, Microscale Protocol for the Analysis of Processing Parameters and Nutritional Qualities in Maize Zea mays L.
Published on: June 16, 2018
Physicochemical changes in starch during the conversion of corn to tortilla in the traditional nixtamalization
Isela Rojas-Molina1, María G Nieves-Hernandez2, Elsa Gutierrez-Cortez3
1Laboratorio de Química Medicinal, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas S/N, Querétaro, Qro., C.P. 76017, Mexico.
Abstract:
This work aimed to study the changes in starch and isolated starch resulting from the conversion of corn to tortilla, focusing on the orthorhombic crystal structure and its association with resistant starch. Scanning electron microscopy images show whole, partially, and completely damaged starch granules in nixtamalized corn, masa, and tortillas. More importantly, whole isolated starch granules were found in nixtamal, masa, and tortillas. Transmission electron microscopy shows the presence of nanocrystals with orthorhombic structures in isolated starch. Some of them remained almost undamaged during the nixtamalization process. The X-ray patterns showed orthorhombic crystals in nixtamal, masa, and tortilla and their isolated starches. The RS increased from 2.61 to 5.31 % from corn to tortilla and from 2.52 to 5.61 % for isolated starches from corn and tortilla during the traditional nixtamalization process. The results suggest that the nanocrystals in corn to tortilla are part of RS2.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter
Mechanical and Chemical Digestion in the Small Intestine
Mechanical digestion in the small intestine involves movements such as segmentations and migrating motility complexes (MMCs), primarily controlled by the myenteric plexus. Segmentations are localized contractions occurring in areas of the intestine distended by chyme—a mixture of partially digested food. These contractions mix chyme with digestive juices, facilitating...
Redox Titration: Iodimetry and Iodometry
Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
Enthalpy of Solution
Thermal Strain

