Preparation, physicochemical characterization and application of acetylated lotus rhizome starches

• Acetylated lotus rhizome starches were prepared and physicochemically characterized.
• The properties were greatly improved after acetylation.
• Acetylated lotus rhizome starches could be used as food additives in puddings.

Acetylated lotus rhizome starches were prepared, physicochemically characterized and used as food additives in puddings. The percentage content of the acetyl groups and degree of substitution increased linearly with the amount of acetic anhydride used. The introduction of acetyl groups was confirmed via Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The values of the pasting parameters were lower for acetylated starch than for native starch. Acetylation was found to increase the light transmittance (%), the freeze–thaw stability, the swelling power and the solubility of the starch. Sensorial scores for puddings prepared using native and acetylated lotus rhizome starches as food additives indicated that puddings produced from the modified starches with superior properties over those prepared from native starch.