Ultrasound-treated starch: SEM and TEM imaging, and functional behaviour

Potato, wheat, corn and rice starch granules were suspended in water or ethanol and sonicated at frequency of 20 KHz and power 170 W for 30 min. The effect of ultrasonic treatment on starch structure was assessed on the basis of blue value (BV), A(680)/A(545) ratio and lambda(max) determinations. The results showed that modification of starches in both solvents led to the reduction of all parameters connected with the starch-iodine complex. However, depolymerization of starch was higher when it was sonicated in water than in ethanol (e.g. BVs for potato starch: native and sonicated in water and ethanol were equal, respectively, 0.306, 0.275, and 0.279). Starch granules were also observed under scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The main effects of ultrasonic action were cracks and depressions on the surface of granules, which were especially well seen in the case of potato and wheat starches. Ultrasonic treatment, especially in water, influenced functional properties of starch causing an increase of fat and water absorption, least gelling concentration (except potato starch), solubility and swelling power, and a decrease of starch paste viscosity. Effect of ultrasounds on clarity of pastes was rather small, except potato starch for which its value increased from 70.3 to 82.5% after sonication in water. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.