starch

starch (stahrch)

1. any of a group of polysaccharides of the general formula, (C6H10O5)n ; it is the chief storage form of carbohydrates in plants.

2. granules separated from mature corn, wheat, or potatoes; used as a dusting powder and pharmaceutic aid.

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starch (stärch)

n.

1. A naturally abundant nutrient carbohydrate found chiefly in the seeds, fruits, tubers, roots, and stem pith of plants, and commonly prepared as a white, amorphous, tasteless powder used in powders, ointments, and pastes. Also called amylum.

2. A food having a high content of starch, such as rice, bread, and potatoes.

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starch

Etymology: AS, stearc, strong

a polysaccharide composed of long chains of glucose subunits. It is the principal molecule used for the storage of energy in plants. See also carbohydrate, glucose, glycogen.

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starch,

n the principal molecule used for the storage of food in plants. Starch is a polysaccharide and is composed of long chains of glucose subunits.

starch amylopectin

n a component of starch that consists of glucose residues arranged in a branched chain.

starch amylose

n a component of starch that consists of glucose residues arranged in a straight chain.

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starch

1. any of a group of polysaccharides of the general formula, (C₆H₁₀O₅)_n; it is the chief storage form of carbohydrates in plants.

2. granular material separated from mature grain of Zea mays (Indian corn, or maize); used as a dusting powder and tablet disintegrant in pharmaceuticals.

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starch blockers

inhibitors of alpha-amylase, used to decrease starch digestion and limit energy intake from starch.

starch digestion test, starch tolerance test

a test to assess the ability of the intestine to digest and absorb a polysaccharide. Efficiency measured by the rise in blood glucose after oral administration of starch to an animal that has been fasted.

starch equivalent

an outmoded way of estimating and expressing the energy value of a feed. Replaced now by metabolizable energy.

starch inhalation

can occur in pigs in a poorly ventilated environment and when the feed is fed dry. Causes foreign body pneumonia.

starch-iodine complex

is a deep blue color and this is used as an indicator of the amount of starch in a solution.

starch tolerance test

see starch digestion test (above).