ENZYMES AS A PROCESSING AID IN THE SEPARATION OF WHEAT-FLOUR INTO STARCH AND GLUTEN

A pilot system for the separation of wheat flour into starch and gluten was used to study the effect of four enzyme preparations as processing aids. Technical enzyme preparations with hemicellulase, cellulase or protease activities appear to improve gluten yield, protein recovery in gluten and gluten coagulation in a flour with intermediate processing properties. With these enzymes similar results were obtained compared to a flour with good processing properties without the use of enzymes. The use of enzymes did not adversely affect protein content, baking quality and rheological properties of the gluten. The proportion of soluble proteins, however, increased when the protease was used. The yield of starch was slightly increased by the action of the cellulase and hemicellulase, but was significantly decreased with the protease. Starch purity as determined by its protein content was not affected. Based on these results it is concluded that some cellulases and hemicellulases can act as important processing aids for gluten/starch separation.