Structural and rheological properties of potato starch affected by degree of substitution by octenyl succinic anhydride

The objective of the present study was to investigate the structural and rheological properties of octenyl succinic anhydrate (OSA) modified potato starch. Potato starch was modified with different concentrations of OSA (0, 1, 3, and 5%, v/v). X-ray results suggested that OSA modification did not disrupt the crystallinity of the native starch, and esterification occurs primarily in the amorphous regions. The use of ¹H-NMR spectra confirmed the presence of methyl protons in substituted OSA groups, which interacted with the starch molecules. In steady shear rheological analysis, OSA modified starch pastes showed a pronounced shear thinning behavior (n = 0.47–0.54). The consistency index (K) and yield stress (σ_oc) values of OSA modified starch pastes were significantly lower than those of the native starch. Dynamic shear rheological tests indicated that OSA modified starch pastes had weak gel-like behavior with storage moduli (G’) higher than loss moduli (G’’). OSA potato starch pastes were more viscous as compared to the native potato starch paste, as evidenced by their higher tan δ values.