The high-, medium-, and low-amylose rice starches were isolated by the alkaline method and acetylated by using acetic anhydride for 10, 30, and 90 min of reaction. The degree of substitution (DS), the Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the X-ray diffractograms, the thermal, morphological, and pasting properties, and the swelling power and solubility of native and acetylated starches were evaluated. The DS of the low-amylose rice starch was higher than the DS of the medium- and the high-amylose rice starches. The introduction of acetyl groups was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. The acetylation treatment reduced the crystallinity, the viscosity, the swelling power, and the solubility of rice starch; however, there was an increase in the thermal stability of rice starch modified by acetylation.

Starch and cellulose fibers were isolated from grains and the husk from barley, respectively. Biodegradable films of native starch or oxidized starches and glycerol with different concentrations of cellulose fibers (0%, 10% and 20%) were prepared. The films were characterized by morphological, mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties. Cellulose fibers isolated from the barley husk were obtained with 75% purity and high crystallinity. The morphology of the films of the oxidized starches, regardless of the fiber addition, was more homogeneous as compared to the film of the native starch. The addition of cellulose fibers in the films increased the tensile strength and decreased elongation. The water vapor permeability of the film of oxidized starch with 20% of cellulose fibers was lower than the without fibers. However the films with cellulose fibers had the highest decomposition with the initial temperature and thermal stability. The oxidized starch and cellulose fibers from barley have a good potential for use in packaging. The addition of cellulose fibers in starch films can contribute to the development of films more resistant that can be applied in food systems to maintain its integrity.

Pinhão seed is an unconventional source of starch and the pines grow up in native forests of southern Latin America. In this study, pinhão starch was adjusted at 15, 20 and 25% moisture content and heated to 100, 110 and 120°C for 1 h. A decrease in k max (starch/iodine complex) was observed as a result of increase in temperature and moisture content of HMT. The ratio of crystalline to amorphous phase in pinhão starch was determined via Fourier transform infra red by taking 1045/1022 band ratio. A decrease in crystallinity occurred as a result of HMT. Polarised light microscopy indicated a loss of birefringence of starch granules under 120°C at 25% moisture content. Granule size distribution was further confirmed via scanning electron microscopy which showed the HMT effects. These results increased the understanding on molecular and structural properties of HMT pinhão starch and broadened its food and nonfood industrial applications.