Chemical Modifications of Normal and Waxy Potato Starches Affect Functional Properties of Aerogels

Abstract

Aerogels are of increasing interest because of their exceptionally large surface area, porous structure, and low weight. Despite the significant increase in interest in the subject of starch-based aerogels, the number of detailed studies is rather scarce, which is especially evident in the case of chemically modified derivatives. Therefore, the study aims to evaluate the physicochemical properties of aerogels from chemically modified potato starch preparations (E 1422 and E 1450) obtained both from normal and waxy starches. Aerogels were prepared through the retrogradation of starch pastes followed by the gradual replacement of water with ethyl alcohol. The obtained preparations were characterized in terms of their bulk density, oil-binding capacity, as well as the texture and rheological properties of the formed pastes. Moreover, their usefulness was evaluated in an emulsion system employing rheological and low-field NMR methods. The obtained aerogels were characterized by a lower bulk density of 0.18–0.59 g/cm3 and 5.4–6.6 times higher oil-binding capacity compared to native potato starch. The chemical modification of starch helped to further alter the functional properties of the obtained aerogels, making them more effective oil binders, emulsifiers, and stabilizers (increasing the stability from 55 to 90%), which was especially evident for E 1450 preparation. Amylose content improved the aerogel properties, as waxy preparations were characterized by worse functional properties with the only exception of improved thickening ability. The most beneficial properties for the preparation of emulsions were observed for the aerogel obtained based on E 1450 normal potato starch.

Recent advances in the fabrication, characterization and application of starch-based materials for active food packaging: hydrogels and aerogels

“…Factors that affect the properties of hydrogels, such as AC and starch modification, also have an impact on the characteristics of aerogels. 97 In the study conducted by Le Thanh-Blicharz et al , 98 the physicochemical properties of aerogels prepared from normal potato starch (PPZ Trzemeszno, Trzemeszno, Poland) and waxy potato starch (“Eliane 100”, Avebe, Veendam, The Netherlands) were evaluated. It was observed that the waxy-starch-based aerogel had a higher bulk density (0.33 g cm −3 ) than the normal-starch-based aerogel (0.18 g cm −3 ).…”

“…In terms of oil absorption capacity, it also depends on the microstructure of aerogels. 98 In a recent study, microcrystalline cellulose aerogels were synthesized with different amounts of high amylose corn starch (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) and NaOH–urea solution using vacuum freeze-drying technology. 124 With an increase in starch content, the density of aerogels showed a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing, as did the adsorption capacity for linseed oil.…”

Polysaccharide-Based Bioplastics as Green and Sustainable Packaging Materials

“…The industry already produces chemically modified starch derivatives by the surface modification of starch granules [44,45]. Modified starch is prepared by physically (gelatinization, extrusion, foaming, and impregnation), chemically (esterification and grafting), enzymatically, or biotechnically treating native starch to change its properties [44].…”

“…Modified starch is prepared by physically (gelatinization, extrusion, foaming, and impregnation), chemically (esterification and grafting), enzymatically, or biotechnically treating native starch to change its properties [44]. Modified starches are commonly used as emulsifiers and stabilizers, viscosifying agents, coatings, and thickeners [45,46]. A study reported that starch chemical modification produces a biodegradable material with appropriate mechanical strength, flexibility, and water barrier properties to be used as packaging material [45,47].…”

“…Modified starches are commonly used as emulsifiers and stabilizers, viscosifying agents, coatings, and thickeners [45,46]. A study reported that starch chemical modification produces a biodegradable material with appropriate mechanical strength, flexibility, and water barrier properties to be used as packaging material [45,47]. Moreover, hydrophobically modified starch through acetylation, esterification, and grafting of highly reactive hydrophobic functional groups improves the hydrophobicity of starch by replacing the hydroxyl groups in starch, which leads to an enhanced interfacial compatibility between starch and the hydrophobic polymer [48,49].…”