The Preparation of Glycerol Pseudo-Thermoplastic Starch (GTPS) via Gelatinization and Plasticization

Abstract

To convert starch into glycerol pseudo-thermoplastic starch (GTPS), this research used gelatinization to destroy the crystallinity of starch granules, and then adopted glycerol plasticization to reduce the melting temperature. According to viscosity testing and X-ray diffraction (XRD), starch granules must be completely gelatinized in heated water above 80°C. The gelatinized starch was then plasticized by glycerol. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and hot press testing indicate that starch could be effectively plasticized by gelatinization and glycerol plasticization. It is applicable to process GTPS-30 at 170°C by melting. Therefore, the method presented here should be useful in preparing GTPS.

Keywords:

• Biodegradable
• Gelatinization
• Plasticization
• Pseudo-thermoplastic starch

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This work was supported by the National Science Council of the Republic of China, under the project “The Preparation of Thermoplastic Starch/Thermoplastic Polyvinyl Alcohol Biodegradable Fiber by Melting Spinning” No. NSC 95-2221-E-035-080.