Effect of debranching and storage condition on crystallinity and functional properties of cassava and potato starches

AbstractDebranching starch by pullulanase is considered to improve the RS content of starch which is widely used to produce the starch‐based foods with high‐health benefit impacts. In this study, the cassava and potato starches were debranched by pullulanase, followed by an autoclave treatment and storage at −18°C, 4°C, or 25°C to investigate their crystallinity and functional properties. After debranching, the potato starch contained significantly higher CL (35.4 glucose units) than did the cassava starch (32.4 glucose units). The debranched cassava and potato starches after retrogradation at the storage temperatures had a typical B‐type crystalline structure although the native cassava and potato starches exhibited the different crystalline forms (A‐ and B‐type, respectively). The RS contents of the debranched cassava and potato starches significantly improved with higher RS content of the debranched potato starch than that of the debranched cassava starch at the same storage condition. The storage temperature significantly affected the RS formation of the debranched starches with the highest RS content at storage temperature of −18°C (35 and 48% for the debranched cassava and potato starches, respectively). The debranched starches had significantly lower viscosities and paste clarities but higher solubilities than did the native starches. As a result, the debranched cassava and potato starches can be considered for use not only in functional foods with enhanced health benefits but also in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.