Octenyl Succinic Starch Research Articles

Microencapsulation properties of two different types of n-octenylsuccinate-derivatised starch

Aim of the present study was to evaluate the suitability of two different types of n-octenylsuccinate-derivatised starch, which significantly differed in viscosity, for microencapsulation of a fish oil rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Stable feed emulsions for microencapsulation could be prepared with both types of n--octenylsuccinate starch, however at a high oil load (50%), a low pH (pH 4.5) of the emulsion was crucial for emulsion stability. At 50% oil content, lower oil droplet size in reconstituted spray-dried emulsions and lower content of non-encapsulated oil was reached by low viscosity starch compared to medium viscosity starch. Conjugated dienes were significantly increased in samples with a high oil load and 40% starch indicating that to a certain degree lipid oxidation already occurred in these samples during the drying process. Finally, moderate spray-drying conditions must be considered as advantageous, since ballooning of the particles and lipid oxidation during spray drying were limited compared to drying at high spray-drying temperatures.

Effect of Degree of Substitution of Octenyl Succinate Starch on the Emulsification Activity on Different Oil Phases

Octenyl succinic starch (OSA starch) was synthesized from an aqueous medium and pyridine medium using previously established literature methods. Such a substitution would conceivably impart some hydrophobicity to the already hydrophilic starch chain. Thus, an amphiphilic character could be introduced wherein while the water solubility of the final product would be retained or enhanced, interactions with hydrophobic phases could be enhanced. These products find a variety of applications. The emulsifying activity of OSA starch was tested against different oil phases. It was found that the activity was dependent on the oil phase chosen. The activity was largely independent of the concentration of the substrates when the modification was conducted in an aqueous medium. Products from an organic medium did show an increase in activity with concentration. This difference in activity was attributed to the molecular weight of the final product, which seemed to be lower for the products from an organic medium as suggested by viscometry. The granular state of starch could also have a great effect on the properties of modified starch.

Effect of Degree of Substitution of Octenyl Succinate Starch on Enzymatic Degradation

Octenyl succinate starch of degree of substitution (ds) 0.03, 0.07, and 0.11 was synthesized in an aqueous medium. These compounds were then tested for the susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. The multiple-enzyme regime of α-amylase, amyloglucosidase, and pullulanase was chosen for the evaluation. This combination of enzymes had been proven to degrade 99.5% of unmodified starch to glucose and hence was chosen for this study. It was found that even small amounts of subsituent caused a considerable decrease in the extent of degradation. The net extent of degradation decreased with increasing ds. Surprisingly, the amount of glucose from all three substituted substrates was quite similar, suggesting the effect small amounts of subtituent had on the enzymatic activity.

Subchronic studies in rats fed octenyl succinate-modified food starch

Fischer 344 rats were fed octenyl succinate-modified food starch in a semi-purified diet from conception until they were killed 30 or 90 days after weaning. Complete autopsies and histopathological evaluations showed that growth and haematology were unaffected, but that liver, kidney and caecal weights tended to increase with increasing concentrations of dietary octenyl succinate starch. There were no consistent changes in serum chemistry values that could be associated with octenyl succinate starch intake. Female rats had higher concentrations of urinary magnesium and calcium than did male rats, and these higher mineral concentrations correlated with an increased incidence of renal cortico-medullary mineralization. The increase in mineralization of the cortico-medullary junction occurred in both control and in octenyl succinate starch-treated female rats. Pelvic nephrocalcinosis was not observed in any of the rats. It is concluded that no adverse effects associated with feeding octenyl succinate starch occurred in rats under the conditions of this study.