Use of a high shear mechanical device in a process for production of starch hydrolysate by reacting starch with a hydrolytic agent makes possible a decrease in mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing production of starch hydrolysate. A system for production of starch hydrolysate is also provided in which a reactor is configured to receive the output from a high shear device, which is configured to receive a starch and lysing reagent. The high shear device is configured to generate a fine dispersion or emulsion of lysing.