Structure and functional properties of octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch prepared by a non‐conventional technology

This study investigated the direct production of octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch (OSA‐starch) by a non‐conventional mechanical activation (MA)‐assisted solid phase synthesis (MASPS) technology without the use of solvents and additives in a stirring ball mill. FTIR analysis confirmed that the OSA‐starches with different degrees of substitution (DS) had been successfully produced by MASPS with different MA time, ascribing to the changes in structure and physicochemical properties induced by intense mechanical actions. XRD and SEM analyses showed that the crystal structure and morphology of starch were significantly disrupted after the process of MASPS. The OSA esterification of starch by MASPS resulted in the increase of cold‐water solubility, transparency, and emulsion stabilization, and the reduction of paste viscosity and retrogradation, and these changes were enhanced with the increase of MA time. It indicated that the OSA‐starch prepared by MASPS possessed some unusual functional properties, which can be favorable for special applications.