The influence of Cu(II) ions on physicochemical properties of potato starch oxidised by hydrogen peroxide

The study investigates the influence of Cu(II) ions used as a catalyst on the effectiveness of potato starch oxidation by hydrogen peroxide, and compares the physicochemical properties of the modified starches. The starch was oxidised by $H_{2}O_{2}$ alone and with the addition of Cu(II) ions at three concentrations: 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 g per 100 g d.m. of starch. The oxidised starches were examined for the content of carboxyl groups, carbonyl groups, amylose and copper, and for water-binding capacity and water solubility at temperatures of 60 and 80$^{o}\textrm{C}$. Colour parameters (L*a*b), susceptibility to retrogradation, thermodynamic characteristics of pasting, intrinsic viscosity and pasting characteristic by RVA were also determined. The results indicate that the concentration of Cu(II) ions added as a catalyst has an effect on both the effectiveness of the oxidation process and the physicochemical properties of starch.