MODIFIED TAPOICA STARCH
| PRODUCT DESCRIPTION | |
|---|---|
| CAS NO | 65996-62-5 |
| MOL WEIGHT | 451.60 g/mol |
| FORMULA | C6H10O5 |
| SYNONYMS | Tapioca Starch |
Native starch modified by using physical, chemical or biological methods is referred to as modified starch. Native starch is modified so as to enhance its properties such as thermal stability, acid resistance, texture, viscosity, gelatinization time, etc. Examples of modified starch are acid-treated starch, dextrin, bleached starch, oxidized starch, alkaline modified starch etc.
Manufacturing methods
Tapioca starch may be derived from the roots of cassava plant. Three methods are used to modify native starch: physical, chemical and biological.
Physical methods: the molecular structure of the starch is modified by using heat or other dynamic means of energy. Change in the molecular structure results in change in properties. Examples include pre-gelatinized starch, heat treatment starch, annealing starch etc.
Chemical methods: A chemical reaction is used to introduce a compound such as phosphate, acetate or ether into the starch structure or cutting the glucose unit in the starch or cross-linking to modify its native properties. Examples are Hydroxyethylated Starches, Starch acetate etc
Biological methods: Using enzymes, the number of amylose and amylopectin molecules are modified and correspondingly the properties of the starch change. Examples are high amylase starch and waxy starch.
Modified Tapioca Starch is used as a thickening agent in foodstuffs. The solubility of water is increased in modified starch and this property is utilized in food industry to while thickening foods after adding water. It is added to frozen foods to absorb the water during defrosting. Modified starch is used for a variety of purposes in food industry such as gelling, stabilizing, controlling crystal growth, foam strengthening etc.
OTHER APPLICATIONS 
1. Owing to its high viscosity, modified starch is used in industrial glue production. It has appreciable binding capacity.
2. In water treatment applications, starch agglomerates the large sediment and precipitates rapidly.
3. In oil drilling, the starch is added to the drilling mud fluid to prevent oil leakage from pores.
4. In cement industry, starch helps in reducing the hardening time of cements.
5. It is used as a binding agent in medicine tablets, explosives, paint, gypsum and metals.
Paper Industry 
Starch derivatives are extensively used in paper industry to give strength to the finished paper. Low viscosity starches are used in pulp processing. The starch occupies the pores in the paper while drying and increases the smoothness of the paper. Condensed paper for book cover, calendars are prepared using thin boiling starches.
In textile applications Modified Tapioca Starch is mainly used for sizing of yarns and finishing of cotton and polyester fabrics. It is used as sizing agent to stiffen the thread for improved weaving efficiency. Pre-gelatinized starch prevents contamination during printing. Starch is added in different proportions for different textile materials like cotton, rayon, polyester during the finishing stages to make the cloth glossy and permanent.
