Comparison of porous starches obtained from different enzyme types and levels

The objective was to compare the action of different hydrolases for producing porous corn starches. Amyloglucosidase (AMG), α-amylase (AM), cyclodextrin-glycosyltransferase (CGTase) and branching enzyme (BE) were tested using a range of concentrations. Microstructure, adsorptive capacity, pasting and thermal properties were assessed on the porous starches. SEM micrographs showed porous structures with diverse pore size distribution and pore area depending on the enzyme type and its level; AMG promoted the largest holes. Adsorptive capacity was significantly affected by enzymatic modification being greater influenced by AMG activity. Unexpectedly, amylose content increased in the starch treated with AMG and BE, and the opposite trend was observed in AM and CGTase treated samples, suggesting different mode of action. A heatmap illustrated the diverse pasting properties of the different porous starches, which also showed significant different thermal properties, with lower To and Tp. Porous starch properties could be modulated by using different enzymes and concentrations.