Air oxidation of potato starch over vanadium (V) catalyst

The air oxidation of potato starch over ammonium vanadate (V) is presented. Contrary to the effect of oxidation described for corn starch, oxidised potato starch produced less viscous gels. Optimum quantity of the catalyst applied was about 4% (w/w). Oxidation proceeded at the granule surface level as proved by polarised light and electron microscopies.