Properties of retrograded and acetylated starch preparations: Part 1. Structure, susceptibility to amylase, and pasting characteristics

The aim of the study was to produce a retrograded starch preparation from potato starch using various methods, to modify it by acetylation, and then to estimate the effect of these modifications on its selected properties. The chemical structure of modifiers and the degree of substitution achieved with acetic acid were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The resistance of starch to amyloglucosidase and digestive amylases was determined as well. Also, the thermal characteristics of gelatinization of the starch preparations were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); the method of starch paste production was investigated by a Brabender viscograph, and morphological and structural differences were visualized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Retrograded starch preparations were porous and stratified in structure; with their properties resulting from the method of their production. Their chemical structure did not differ from that of native starch, but they displayed a different course of pasting characteristics and increased susceptibility to acetylation as well as resistance to amylases (by approximately 10g/100g). Acetylation contributed to a decrease in the temperature of reaching maximum viscosity, an increase in the maximum viscosity, and a decrease in the amount of heat needed for thermal transition of the produced preparations. Acetylated retrograded starch was characterized by a higher degree of substitution and an increased activity of acetyl groups substituted at carbon atoms 2 and 3 compared to the acetylated native starch, thereby triggering a significant increase in resistance to amylases (approximately 40g/100g). Combining the resistance of starch samples RS3 and RS4 may be a new method to obtain resistant starch from potato starch.