Influence of γ irradiation on the physicochemical properties of tapioca granular starch-ascorbyl palmitate complexes

The original starch was irradiated with γ-rays at doses ranging from 0 to 10 kGy to investigate how irradiation influences the formation of tapioca granular starch-ascorbyl palmitate (TGS-AP) complexes. The results indicated that the pretreatment of tapioca starch with appropriate irradiation doses effectively increased the content of AP encapsulated in the complex, and the loading efficiency increased from 22.74 % (0 kGy) to a maximum of 32.95 % (2.5 kGy). Compared with the control complexes, the rapid visco analyzer (RVA) pasting profiles of the TGS-AP complexes changed significantly, with new viscosity peaks appearing during the cooling and holding stages. The swelling power, relative crystallinity, and thermal stability of the complexes were remarkably elevated to maximum increases of 116.50 %, 21.45 %, and 82.61 %, respectively, and the melting enthalpies of the complexes increased slightly after the native tapioca starch was subjected to irradiation. This study could serve as a basis for the development of a green and efficient process for the production of starch-lipid complexes.