Effects of Hydroxypropyl and Lactate Esterified Glutinous Rice Starch on Wheat Starch Gel Construction

An investigation was conducted into the impacts of hydroxypropyl glutinous rice starch (HPGRS) and lactate-esterified glutinous rice starch (LAEGRS) on a dilute solution and gel properties of wheat starch (WS) at different proportions (0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, and 10%). The results of dilute solution viscosity showed that hydroxypropyl treatment of glutinous rice starch (GRS) could promote the extension of GRS chains, while lactate esterification led to the hydrophobic association of GRS chains, and the starch chains curled inward. Different HPGRS: WS and LAEGRS: WS ratios, β > 0 and ∆b > 0, showed HPGRS and LAEGRS produced attractive forces with WS and formed a uniform gel structure. Compared with WS gel, HPGRS, and LAEGRS could effectively delay the short-term aging of WS gels, and LAEGRS had a more significant effect. HPGRS increased the pasting viscosity, viscoelasticity, and springiness of WS gels, reduced the free water content, and established a tighter gel network structure, while LAEGRS had an opposite trend on WS. In conclusion, HPGRS was suitable for WS-based foods with stable gel network structure and high water retention requirements, and LAEGRS was suitable for WS-based foods with low viscosity and loose gel structure.