Excerpts: The chemical research and engineering application involved in the erection and operation of a factory for production of starch from sweet potatoes are described with the objective of furthering the establishment in the United States of an industry to supply a part of the domestic requirements for so-called root starches. The properties of sweet potato starch were studied and evaluated from standpoint of use in various industries. The value of the by-product pulp as cattle feed was established, and in this role, it might play an important part in southern agriculture. A new method of dehydration was evolved for malting possible the storage of sweet potatoes and year-round operation of starch factories. This new method of dehydration makes possible additional sweet potato by-products and also various grades of flour which can be used in a number of industries. A summary is given of the lines of agricultural research which were undertaken in order to adapt the sweet potato crop to this new type of utilization. Chemical and mechanical equipment requirements for a sweet potato starch factory embodying the experience gained to date are outlined.
