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Compared to traditional heating methods by static immersion or stirring, induced electric field (IEF) treatment can significantly increase hydrolysis rate of potato starch. The aim of this study was to examine the characterization of acid hydrolysis of granular potato starch under IEF. Potato starch was hydrolyzed using 0.15 mol/L HCl combined with IEF (IEF-HCl) at an excitation voltage of 75 V from 4 h to 120 h. The changes in granular, crystal, and molecular structure of starch granules during IEF-HCl hydrolysis were investigated. Scanning electron microscope analysis showed the outer surface of potato starch was firstly attacked by free ions and then the inner structures was completely disrupted and broken into pieces. X-ray diffraction studies indicated that the crystallinity decreased from 38.92% to 34.9% after 4-h hydrolysis, and then gradually increased to 41.88% as hydrolysis time increased to 96 h, but decreased thereafter. The weight-average molecular weight dramatically decreased from 104.7 × 10 6 Da to 9.291 × 10 6 Da in the first 24 h and then decreased gradually. These results suggested that there were three steps in the catalytic process of IEF-HCl hydrolysis. Initially, hydrogen ions destroyed the external crystalline shell of granules. Next, hydrogen ions attacked the loose amorphous region and dense crystalline part within starch granules simultaneously. Finally, the remaining crystalline region was hydrolyzed slowly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The induced electric field assisted hydrochloric acid (IEF-HCl) hydrolysis of potato starch was investigated in a fluidic system. The impact of various reaction parameters on the hydrolysis rate, including reactor number (1–4), salt type (KCl, MgCl 2 , FeCl 3 ), salt concentration (3–12%), temperature (40–55 °C), and hydrolysis time (0–60 h), were comprehensively assessed. Under optimal conditions, the maximum reducing sugar content in the hydrolysates was 10.59 g/L. X-ray diffraction suggested that the crystallinity of IEF-HCl-modified starches increased with the intensification of hydrolysis but was lower than that of native starch. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the surface and interior regions of starch granules were disrupted by the hydrolysis. The solubility of IEF-HCl-modified starches increased compared to native starch while their swelling power decreased, contributing to a decline in paste viscosity. These results suggest that IEF is a notable potential electrotechnology to conventional hydrolysis under mild conditions without any electrode touching the subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of induced electric field (IEF) on the crystal structure and physicochemical properties of potato starch were investigated by subjecting identically treated control and electrically-modified samples to the same temperature history. Additionally, a method of combining IEF with heating for efficient modification of native polymer was also proposed. Results showed that the application of IEF at an electric voltage of 75 V has a statistically significant effect on starch gelatinization and pasting properties, especially when combined with heating at 50 °C. After treatment by the combination method for 96 h, the gelatinization temperatures increased, which can be explained by the slight increase in the ratio of 1044/1015 cm −1 and relative crystallinity. Furthermore, IEF reduced granular swelling and therefore contributed to decreasing the peak, breakdown, and setback viscosity of potato starch. This study explores the potential of IEF as innovative technology for starch modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]