Effect of γ-irradiation on pasting and emulsification properties of octenyl succinylated rice starches

Octenylsuccinylated (OS) starches from waxy rice or high-amylose rice (28.1% amylose) (DS 0.023 and 0.025, respectively) were gamma-irradiated at 10, 30, or 50 kGy and their pasting and thermal properties, crystallinity, and emulsification property were examined. When the OS starches were irradiated, the degrees of substitution gradually decreased as irradiation dose increased. A significant decrease in pasting viscosity was observed with an increase in irradiation dose, indicating the presence of chain degradation induced by the radiation. The melting temperature and enthalpy determined by differential scanning calorimetry increased slightly by irradiating at 10 or 30 kGy. Little change in crystallinity was observed in the X-ray diffraction analysis for the OS high-amylose rice starch regardless of irradiation doses, whereas a decrease in crystallinity was observed with the OS waxy starch irradiated at 50 kGy. Chain degradation induced by irradiation occurred mainly in the amorphous regions, but some loss of crystallinity occurred when the irradiation was excessive. The OS starches showed greater emulsion capacity and stability than the native counterparts due to their amphipathic nature. The irradiation further improved the emulsification properties of OS starches. The irradiation at 10 kGy was optimal, and treating at higher doses decreased the emulsion capacity and stability of the OS starches.