STMP-Sodium Trimetaphosphate application in cross-linked starch production
Sodium Trimetaphosphate (STMP) is used as a cross-linking agent in the production of cross-linked starch. It is used to replace the hydrogen bonds between starch chains with stronger, covalent phosphate bonds that are more permanent.
In the food industry, this modified starch, known as Cross-linked Esterified Starch (CES), has several applications. For instance, it is used to improve the properties of maize starch, which is widely used in the food industry but has limitations such as low thermal stability and acid tolerance.
The process involves selecting maize starch as the raw material, using STMP as the cross-linking agent, and acetic anhydride as the esterifying agent. The resulting CES has a distinct birefringence and granular structure, along with the creation of new carbonyl groups.
The modification significantly improves the viscosity of the starch at both low and high temperatures. It also enhances the freeze-thaw stability of CES after five cycles. Moreover, CES displays increased shear and acid tolerance compared to the original waxy maize.
In summary, STMP plays a crucial role in starch modification, and the resulting CES has exceptional performance for the food industry.
