SOME OF THE DIELECTRIC-PROPERTIES OF STARCH

The dielectric constant and dielectric loss were determined for solid starch free of and contaminated with sodium chloride over a frequency range of 0.1-10 000 kc/s at temperatures from 10 to 60-degrees-C. The results are compared with those of cellulosic fibres. At high frequenc y both starch and cellulosic fibres exhibit a dielectric dispersion an d loss peak. The chain flexibility of starch has a decided effect on t he location of the peak. The low frequency absorption appears only whe n starch is contaminated with sodium chloride, which modifies the diel ectric properties of the starch sample.