Glossary of food & beverage ingredient terms
D
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Degree of polymerisation [DP] |
The degree of polymerization of a polymer is the average number of monomer units in the molecule. It refers to the average number of anhydroglucose units in the molecule. The abbreviations DP1, DP2 etc. refer to polymer chains where the number of anhydroglucose units is known. Abbreviations such as DP 3+ are used to denote all unknown degrees of polymerisation of 3 and above. The abbreviation Dpn is used to denote a fraction with an unkown degree of polymerization. |
| Dextrin |
Dextrins are starch hydrolysis products obtained in a dry roasting process either using starch alone or with trace levels of acid catalyst. These products have a good film forming and adhesive properties. They are used by the food industry as coatings in the adhesive toppings and in batters and breadings. |
| Dextrinization |
a chemical modification process in which dry starch is heated in the presence of acid to produce products with higher solubility, lower viscosity and better stability than native starches. Products of this process are called dextrins. |
| Dextrose |
D-glucose obtained by the complete hydrolysis of starch, followed by purification and crystallization. Dextrose can be obtained as the anhydrous or monohydrate form. The monohydrate contains one molecure of water per molecule of D-glucose. |
| Dextrose equivalent |
The reducing power of a starch hydrolysis product experessed as a % of the reducing power of the same weight of D-glucose. The higher the D.E., the lower the number average molecular weight of the product. The maximum possible D.E. is 100 (i.e. pure dextrose). |
| Drum-dried starch |
Also known as roll-dried starch. Pregelatinized starch made by cooking and drying a starch paste on stem-heated rolls. A starch slurry or paste is deposited in a thin layer on rotating heated drums or rolls. The dried film is recmoved with a scraper then the product i sground in a mill to the desired particle size. Chemicals may be added before, during, or after drum drying. |
| Dusting starch |
Starch powder that is applied to substrate in order to reduce or eliminate adhesion to other substrates. |