Kinetic studies on acid catalysed hydrolysis of starch

Acid hydrolysis of wheat flour (particle size, 4 mu m) was carried out in a batch reactor between 75-95 degrees C at varying acid concentrations (pH 2-5). Maximum (42%) conversion of starch to reducing sugar was obtained at 95 degrees C and pH 3. Reaction follows First-order rate equation with respect to starch concentration and dependence of reaction rate constant k on pH is incorporated. Activation energy (Delta E) and frequency factor (A) of reaction were 7806 R and 6.583 x 10(6) [1/f(pH)] respectively. Time dependent conversion was observed with variation of temperature, pH and initial starch concentration within relative error of 19%.