Starch esters properties

Starch esters are thermoplastic materials with properties that are somewhat similar to that of cellulose esters. In particular, starch acetate (DS < 0.2) is used as a coating agent for paper and as a food or detergent additive. 

Almost all the starches investigated contain some phosphorus.124-126 In addition to phospholipids, phosphorus is also commonly found in starch as monostarch phosphate esters.6,7 Inorganic phosphate is present in some starches.124-126 Monostarch phosphate esters and phospholipids have different effects on starch paste properties.133,135 Monostarch phosphate esters, found in potato, shoti and other starches,6,7,136-140 increase paste clarity and paste viscosity.79 Little phosphate monoester is found in cereal starch.121,124,141,142 Phospholipids, found in normal cereal starches (e.g. wheat, rice and maize) decrease paste clarity and viscosity.133 31P-nmr spectroscopy has... 

Much helpful information on starch esterification methods and on the probable properties of starch esters may be obtained by examining similar reactions and esters in the cellulose field. This is because both starch and cellulose consist of polymerized glucose units capable of esterification to the triester stage, and because the superior ability of the cellulose esters to form plastics, films, fibers, and lacquers has promoted an accumulation of information on cellulose esters which far exceeds the present knowledge of starch esters. 

This review does not presume to encompass a complete, coverage of all the published work in the field of starch esters. Some difficulty arises in the interpretation of properties of starch esters in those cases where authors have failed to list the type of starch investigated. Where possible, however, the type of starch used is stated in the following discussion. 

The properties displayed by a starch triacetate, or by other starch esters are dependent upon the type and molecular weight of the starch or starch fraction used for the esterification. The properties may also be influenced by trace constituents or impurities such as compounds of nitrogen and phosphorus which are often observed in starch esters. While the nature of the nitrogenous constituent is not known, it has been demonstrated that much of the phosphorus of potato starch exists as a natural phosphoric ester of the amylopectin fraction. It is not surprising, therefore, that the phosphorus of potato starch is carried through an esterification and may influence the properties of the starch ester. The exact modifying effects of these components on the properties of starch esters, however, are still to be explained. 

J. Traquair, " Tlie Manufacture and Properties of some Starch Esters, Jour. Soc. Chem. Ind., 1909,288,... 

Various anhydrides show significant differences in reactivity. For instance, acetic anhydride reacted with starch in the presence of formamide, whereas phthalic anhydride required pyridine to react. This property was utilized in preparation of starch esters carrying two different acyl groups simultaneously.19181919 Mixed starch esters may also be prepared by using a mixture of various anhydrides in... 

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