Effect of Degree of Substitution of Octenyl Succinate Starch on Enzymatic Degradation

Octenyl succinate starch of degree of substitution (ds) 0.03, 0.07, and 0.11 was synthesized in an aqueous medium. These compounds were then tested for the susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. The multiple-enzyme regime of -amylase, amyloglucosidase, and pullulanase was chosen for the evaluation. This combination of enzymes had been proven to degrade 99.5% of unmodified starch to glucose and hence was chosen for this study. It was found that even small amounts of subsituent caused a considerable decrease in the extent of degradation. The net extent of degradation decreased with increasing ds. Surprisingly, the amount of glucose from all three substituted substrates was quite similar, suggesting the effect small amounts of subtituent had on the enzymatic activity.