The Effect of Starch Composition on Structure of Foams Prepared by Microwave Treatment

A microwave technique was used to prepare foams from different potato starches in granular form, with varying amounts of amylose content, and water. In addition to native potato starch (PN), high amylose potato starch (HAP) and potato amylopectin (PAP) were used, as well as mixtures thereof. In all cases the native crystallinity of starch granules was lost upon microwave treatment and an amorphous material was created. An increased concentration of starch in the initial water dispersion resulted in a less dense foam structure. The potato amylopectin formed open cell foams, whereas increased amylose content, as in native potato starch, yielded a more compact structure with irregular pore shapes. The high amylose potato starch yielded a structure with hardly any porosity. Foaming experiments were done to compare pre-gelatinized and granular starches dispersed in water. The pre-gelatinisation did not affect the pore formation process. These experiments indicated that the molecular architecture of starch polymers is more important for foam formation than starch polymer organization in the granules. Studies of temperature profile and dry matter content during microwave treatment showed that water evaporates more rapidly from a high amylose starch solution than native potato starch and potato amylopectin solutions. Rheological measurements showed that the amylose solution had much lower viscosity than starch and amylopectin. This confirms that polymer – water interaction, such as in amylopectin solution, favours stabilization of bubbles formed upon boiling and evaporation of water, which yields high porosity materials.