Specific analyses to differentiate commercial modified starches

In many situations, it is necessary to modify the properties of native starch by chemical, physical, enzymatic, or mixed processes to adjust these properties to the requirements of their applications. The presence of modified starches should be clearly communicated to the consumer. This chapter describes analyses to identify the main commercial modified starches, analyses also suitable for monitoring industrial production of modified starches, or to check for the presence of modified starch granules among native ones. The identification uses a dichotomic key to differentiate native starches from those submitted to specific commercial treatment to change their properties. The methods of analysis include examination of starch granules under a microscope, selective staining, and complementary analysis.