ACID-MODIFIED STARCH: PRODUCTION AND USES

Publisher Summary The treatment of starch with acid, without substantially changing the granular form, results in modified starch with properties that have commercial value. This chapter discusses the usefulness of acid modification as a step in the manufacture of other types of modified starch and the acid treatment of granular starches in slurries other than water. The acid modification of starch occurs by the preferential attack of the acid upon the amorphous section of the granule. Acid modification may be used as a pre-modification step in some cases or a post-modification step in others. The usage of acid-modified starch, still the predominant type in the textile industry, has declined over the past 10 years. Acid-modified starch functions as a warp sizing agent to increase yam strength and abrasion resistance in the weaving operation. Acid-modified starch is used in the manufacture of gypsum board for dry wall construction. Acid-modified waxy starches have found usefulness in corrugated board manufacture.