What You Need to Know
In a 1–2 % alkaline solution (sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide) at 90–100 °C, hemicellulose is hydrolyzed and bound niacin is released as free nicotinic acid. The alkaline environment also denatures zein proteins, raising the pH to 8–9 and improving dough viscosity, while calcium ions replace magnesium in the cell walls, increasing the calcium content of the final product.
The Science
Primary Reaction
Alkaline hydrolysis of hemicellulose and denaturation of zein proteins in maize kernels