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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #132437
Title: THE EFFECT OF STEARATE SALTS ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF STARCH POLYMERIC MATERIALS

Author
item Finkenstadt, Victoria
item Willett, Julious

Submitted to: American Chemical Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2002
Publication Date: 8/20/2002
Citation: Finkenstadt, V.L., Willett, J.L. 2002. THE EFFECT OF STEARATE SALTS ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF STARCH POLYMERIC MATERIALS. American Chemical Society Abstracts. xx.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The effect of fatty acid salts (sodium, magnesium, calcium and zinc) on the processing conditions and mechanical properties of extruded starch polymeric material was investigated. When starch is blended with fatty acids, a helical inclusion complex forms between amylose and the hydrophobic backbone of the lipid. The starch granule is completely broken down (gelatinized) during processing due to the high temperature and mechanical shear stresses in the single-screw extruder. Stearate salts had a lubricating effect on the processing of starch. Depending on the cation, there was a pronounced effect on the mechanical properties of the materials over time and at different storage conditions.