The influence of plasticizer on extruded thermoplastic starch

Abstract This paper describes the use of an extruder for the plastification process of potato starch with glycerol and water as plasticizers. The influence of both plasticizers is expressed in the water absorption index (WAI) and water solubility index (WSI). The amount of water added prior to extrusion is a tool to protect the starch polymers from degradation and to improve the extruder performance.