Modified starch is based on the inherent properties of natural starch. To improve starch performance and expand its application range, it is treated physically, chemically, or enzymatically to introduce new functional groups onto starch molecules or alter the size of starch molecules and granules. This changes the natural properties of starch (such as gelatinization temperature, thermal viscosity and stability, freeze-thaw stability, gel strength, film-forming properties, transparency, etc.) to better suit certain application requirements. Starch whose properties are altered through secondary processing is collectively called modified starch.
Modified starch is designed to meet the requirements of various industrial applications. For example, high-temperature technology (sterilization of canned foods) requires starch with high-temperature viscosity stability; frozen foods require starch with good freeze-thaw stability; and jelly foods require good transparency and film-forming properties. Secondly, it explores new uses for starch and expands its application range. Examples include: the use of starch in textiles; hydroxyethyl starch and hydroxypropyl starch as substitutes for blood plasma; and highly cross-linked starch as a substitute for talc in surgical gloves.
The development of modified starch in my country started relatively late, beginning in the 1980s. It has been applied in numerous fields such as textiles, papermaking, food, feed, casting, pharmaceuticals, construction, and petroleum. The application of modified starch in my country is still an emerging business, with significant differences between China and foreign countries in terms of the types, quality, and application range of modified starches. For example, there are over 200 types of modified starches made from corn starch, while mainland China only produces a dozen or so.
Our pregelatinized starch/modified starch production line is specifically designed for the production of various modified starches, including pregelatinized starch. This production line was developed by our company based on research and studies of foreign technologies, and its technical performance and product quality have reached world-class levels. It is an advanced extruder with flexible configuration, a wide range of applicable raw materials, and easy operation, suitable for various small factories.
