GELATINIZATION Meaning and
Definition
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Gelatinization is a biochemical process that occurs when starch, a carbohydrate, is exposed to heat and moisture, resulting in the transformation of its physical structure. This process is commonly observed in cooking and food preparation.
During gelatinization, starch granules absorb water, causing them to swell and soften. As heat is applied, the water molecules within the granules begin to vibrate, disrupting the intermolecular bonds and breaking down the crystalline structure of starch. This leads to the release of amylose and amylopectin, two components of starch, into the surrounding liquid, resulting in a thickening or "gelling" effect.
Gelatinization is crucial for the preparation of various foods such as gravies, puddings, and sauces, as it imparts a desired texture and consistency. It is also responsible for the fluffy texture of bread, cakes, and pastries.
The gelatinization process is influenced by factors such as temperature, cooking time, and the presence of other ingredients. Different starches exhibit varying gelatinization temperatures and properties. For instance, cornstarch typically undergoes gelatinization at lower temperatures compared to potato starch. Additionally, the addition of sugar or acids may affect the gelatinization process by lowering the gelatinization temperature or interfering with the starch-water interaction.
In summary, gelatinization is a crucial process in cooking and food technology that involves the transformation of starch under the influence of heat and moisture, resulting in the thickening and gelling of food products.
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Conversion into gelatin or a substance resembling it.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GELATINIZATION
- felatinization
- velatinization
- belatinization
- helatinization
- yelatinization
- telatinization
- gwlatinization
- gslatinization
- gdlatinization
- grlatinization
- g4latinization
- g3latinization
- gekatinization
- gepatinization
- geoatinization
- gelztinization
- gelstinization
- gelwtinization
- gelqtinization
- gelatiniation
- gelatinizaion
- Delaminization
- Gelatinezation
- gelatinizations
Etymology of GELATINIZATION
The word "gelatinization" comes from the noun "gelatinize" which in turn, is derived from "gelatin", a substance predominantly consisting of collagen found in the bones and connective tissues of animals. The noun "gelatin" originated from the Latin word "gelatum", which means "frozen" or "stiffened". The suffix "-ize", common in English, is added to nouns to form verbs, indicating the process or action of the original noun. Therefore, "gelatinization" essentially means the process of turning into gelatin or the action of becoming gelatinous.
