The effect of moisture content on the compression properties of maltodextrins

The effect of moisture content on the compression properties of maltodextrin powders obtained by different degrees of hydrolysis (depolymerization) of corn starch has been studied using the yield pressure determined from the Heckel plot and the compact tensile strength measured by the diametrical compression method. An increase in the moisture content of the powder reduced the yield pressure and improved the densification for all five maltodextrins evaluated. At the same moisture level, the extent of densification which occurred during compaction was greater for maltodextrins with a lower degree of polymerization. Compacts produced by maltodextrins with a lower degree of polymerization also exhibited a greater tensile strength for a given pressure at a moisture content below 8.0%. However, further increase in moisture content resulted in a decrease in compact tensile strength for maltodextrins having a lower degree of polymerization. Despite the significant difference in compression behaviour, the five maltodextrins did not show noticeable differences in crystallinity as revealed by their x-ray powder diffraction pattern.