Cationic starch ethers of normal and waxy corn, normal and waxy barley
and normal pea starch were prepared by an aqueous alcoholic process f
or evaluation of their functional properties as compared to the native
starch controls. The native starches exhibited a wide range in averag
e granule size (10-21 mu m diameter), amylose content (0-34%) and swel
ling power (13-31). Cationization to degrees of substitution (DS) of 0
.030-0.035 with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride res
ulted in marked increases in swelling power of all starches, with litt
le corresponding increases in starch solubility. Cationization also de
creased the onset of endothermic transitions and pasting temperatures
quite substantially, and promoted the development of sharp peak viscos
ities in the amylographs of all normal and waxy starches, including th
at of pea starch. Final cold viscosities of the cationic starches exhi
bited positive setbacks, and the cooked starch gels, after storage for
7 days at 4 degrees C and -15 degrees C, showed no syneresis. All cat
ionic starches except for waxy corn were more susceptible to alpha-amy
lase hydrolysis than native control starches. The general improvement
in functional properties, especially in the waxy corn, waxy barley and
pea starches, due to the aqueous alcoholic-alkaline cationization pro
cess would greatly enhance their industrial applications.