RESUMO
The properties of native flour and starch were compared and the changes in their properties were evaluated following ozonation at 100 and 200 ppm. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that crystallinity index of both ozonated banana flour and starch decreased by 1.6%, B-type pattern of native banana flour and starch did not change following ozonation. The presence of higher amounts of non-starch components decreased the sensitivity of flour to the oxidation, as indicated by the lower carboxyl content compared to that of starch. The flour also required higher ozone concentration than starch to alter its properties, particularly pasting properties. Ozonation tended to increase peak, hold and final viscosity of both. A prominent change in the freeze thaw stability of both flour and starch following ozonation was the most encouraging result. Ozonation also improved the solubility of flour which was important to reduce cooking loss when applied in a range of food products. The solubility improvement in the flour might be linked to the formation of new binding following ozonation presumably involving protein present in the granule surface.