Physicochemical characterization of chemically modified corn starches related to rheological behavior, retrogradation and film forming capacity

An integral approach of chemical modification effects on physicochemical and functional properties of corn starch was performed using different and complementary techniques. Acetylated, acetylated crosslinked, hydroxypropylated crosslinked, and acid modified corn starches were analyzed. Substitution and dual modification reduced significantly amylose concentration. Chemical modification decreased granules crystallinity degree. A significant increase in swelling power was observed in substituted and dual modified starches at 90 °C, besides these treatments decreased gelatinization temperature and enthalpy. Acid modified starch pastes showed a Newtonian behavior while substituted and dual modified ones exhibited a viscoelastic response. Dynamic rheological properties of modified starch pastes were not affected by post gelatinization time while native starch pastes developed a more rigid structure during storage. Retrogradation of substituted starch pastes after 12 days at 4 °C was reduced, since syneresis degree and hardness increase were significantly lower than those of native pastes. It was demonstrated that only substituted and native starches exhibited film forming capacity.