Porous high amylose rice starch modified by amyloglucosidase and maltogenic α-amylase

Porous starch is attractive by providing high surface area for many applications. In this study amyloglucosidase (AMG) and maltogenic α-amylase (MA) were investigated in direct comparison to elucidate potential effects in producing porous starch using high amylose rice starch as a substrate. Both enzymes generated pores at the surface as illustrated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The enzyme-treated granules had higher relative crystallinity as deduced from Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS). MA treatment increased the number of short amylopectin chains and decreased the molecular weight with extended incubation time. The MA-treated starch had higher solubility whereas swelling capacity, amylose content, peak viscosity, final viscosity, breakdown and setback of both treatments were decreased compared to the control. Enzymatic treatments produced starch with delayed gelatinization temperature and increased the enthalpy. The results demonstrate that porous rice starch can provide different functionalities depending on the enzyme mechanisms, extending the range of applications.