Changes in physicochemical properties of corn starch upon modifications by atmospheric pressure plasma jet.

The influences of atmospheric pressure plasma jet on different physicochemical properties of corn starch were evaluated after treated with the plasma jet (30 min) at different strengths (400 W-800 W). Our results demonstrated that residual aging effects of plasma on starch could be eliminated by washing the treated samples with distilled water at a ratio of 1:30, w/v. After plasma and washing treatments, significant (p < 0.05) reductions in pasting properties including peak viscosity, final viscosity, and setback of starch samples (up to -87.1%, -92.0%, and -93.3%, respectively) were observed with increasing plasma intensity. Apparently, plasma jet could increase the solubility and paste clarity of starch sample. Surface morphological characterization illustrated that plasma etching resulted in some physical changes on starch granules. Modifications in these physicochemical properties of corn starch by employing the plasma jet treatment might be useful in food applications requiring starch ingredients of low viscosity and high paste clarity.