Role of Modified Starch in Large Scale Food Processing Industries

Modified starches, also known as starch derivatives are prepared by physically, chemically or enzymatically treating native starch to change its properties. Modified starches are used in almost all starch applications, as a condensing agent in food products, emulsifier or stabilizer; as a disintegrant in pharmaceuticals; as a binder in coated paper. They are also used in numerous other applications.

Starches are modified to improve their performance in different applications. Modified starches help increase their firmness against extreme heat, acid, time, shear, freezing or cooling; to change their texture; to decrease or increase their viscosity; to shorten or lengthen gelatinization time; or to enhance their visco-stability.

Use and Functionality

Pre-gelatinized starches are applied for the purpose of thickening instant desserts, allowing the food to thicken with the inclusion of cold water or milk. Likewise, gravy or cheese sauce granules as in Macaroni and Cheese or lasagna can be thickened with boiling water with no lumpiness in the product. Marketable pizza toppings including modified starch will thicken when heated in the oven, keeping them on the pizza top, and then become runny when frozen.

For low-fat versions of conventionally fatty foods, such as reduced-fat hard salami having around 1/3 the usual fat content, a suitably modified starch is utilized as a fat alternative. It is a substitute to the product Olestra for such uses.

Modified starch is added to frozen products to avert them from dripping when defrosted. Bonded with phosphate it allows the starch to absorb more water and keep the ingredients together. Oxidized starch enhances the stickiness of batter.

Food take over the Market of Modified Starch Application

The major application of these starches is found in the food processing industry. It is applied to sub-segments of food, for instance, processed food, confectionery, bakery, beverages, etc. Modified starch carries out functions like stabilization, emulsification, thickening, etc.

For example, modified tapioca starch is utilized in processed food like soups, noodles, etc., to maintain the paste viscosity. Different starches have diverse characteristics and they are used in food applications as per the requirements of the particular food products. The other applications of this starch are found in the paper industry, drilling industry, medicine and pharmaceuticals, glues and adhesives, cosmetics and many more that are associated with the non-food sector.

This type of starches is used in manufacturing soft drinks. It helps in thickening, stabilizing and increasing taste. In the processing of carbonated drinks like Coke debate, the addition of pure gum helps enhance the thickness and lubricating the taste of beverages.

Hence, from the above discussion it is quite clear that modified starch is a vital component in food processing. Advanced modified starch production machinery produces quality starch content to add to a food item, thereby contributing to enhancing its taste, flavor and caloric value.

Author bio: Rose Darani is an efficient market professional associated with a reputed company that specializes in starch and modified starch production machinery. In this article, he gives an overview of the importance of modified starch application in the food sector.