Gelatinization dynamics of starch in dependence of its lamellar structure, crystalline polymorphs and amylose content

Structural dynamics of starch granules selected for different amylose content and crystalline type were analysed in excess water upon heating observed in-situ using SAXS and WAXS. The results showed that NMS and MBS exhibited higher degree of lamellar order than HAM. The peak width at half-maximum (FWHM) of HAM and NMS increased with temperature, demonstrating a gradual radial swelling of the lamellae during gelatinization. For NMS and HAM FWHM increased, suggesting that the dynamics of lamellar thicknesses of these starches were increased during hydrothermal compression exerted by the amorphous lamella. The decrease in FWHM found for MBS indicates that these lamellae were very vulnerable for dissolution. The changes in SAXS peak areas found for NMS and MBS were different from the areas of HAM indicating that A-type starch, as compared to B-type starch, possesses higher degree of lamellae ordering. Our data are potentially useful in starch-based materials processing.