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Summary The influence of the water:starch ratio and heating rate on the gelatinization of amaranth starch was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. Onset and peak temperatures did not vary significantly with increase of water content, whereas the completion temperature decreased by more than 14 °C when the water content was in excess. A linear relationship was found between moisture content and gelatinization enthalpy for water:starch ratios between 0.81:1 and 2:1. From this relationship the minimum level of water necessary to initiate gelatinization was calculated. For water::starch ratios over 3:1, the enthalpy of gelatinization reached a maximum value. More rapid heating resulted in an increase of the peak and completion temperatures, as well as the gelatinization energy. Heating rates above 10 °C min−1 gave the maximum energy requirements for the completion of gelatinization in an excess of water. The kinetics of gelatinization of amaranth starch was analysed from the DSC traces. A simple mathematical model was tested to evaluate the kinetic parameters. It was shown that in an excess of water and for heating rates above 10 °C min−1, gelatinization followed first‐order kinetics with n varying from 0.91 to 0.93. The activation energy was in the range of 157–185 kJ mol−1. However, the present analysis did not allow for the determination of the kinetic parameter values over the whole gelatinization range.

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-A model for isothermal diffusion of bound water was used to simulate the thin-layer drying kinetics of amaranth grain. The model assumes that the driving force for the transport of bound water is the gradient of spreading pressure. The gradient of spreading pressure was related to the moisture gradient using the GAB isotherm. This variation shows a relative maximum moisture content about 8% (d.b), after which the diffusion coefficient falls sharply as the moisture content is further reduced. To verify the model, drying tests of amaranth grain were conducted at 40 to 70ºC in a laboratory drier from 32.5 to 6% moisture (d.b.). Equilibrium moisture contents were also determined using an electronic hygrometer at temperatures and relative humidities corresponding to drying conditions. The applicability of the model to simulation of drying curves was satisfactory in the full range of moisture.