The effect of NaCl on the rheological properties of suspension containing spray dried starch nanoparticles

The effect of NaCl on the rheological properties of suspensions containing spray dried starch nanoparticles produced through high pressure homogenization and emulsion cross-linking technique was studied. Rheological properties such as continuous shear viscosity, viscoelasticity and creep-recovery were measured. NaCl (5–20%, w/w) was found to lower viscosity quite significantly (p < 0.05), enhance the heat stability and weaken their gelling behavior compared to starch-only suspension. NaCl reduced both the storage and loss moduli of suspension within the frequency range (0.1–10 rads/s) studied. However, NaCl brought higher speed of reduction on the storage modulus than on the loss modulus, which resulted into large increase in loss angle. The creep-recovery behavior of suspension was affected by NaCl and the recovery rate was highest (86%) at 15% NaCl. The Cross, the Power law and the Burgerʹs models followed the experimental viscosity, storage and loss moduli, and creep-recovery data well with R2 > 0.97.