Characterization the structural property and degradation behavior of corn starch in KOH/thiourea aqueous solution

Finding an efficient and eco-friendly solution for starch dissolution has attracted considerable attentions in recent years. This study investigated the structural characteristics, and degradation behavior of corn starch in KOH/thiourea aqueous solution by the comparison with DMSO/LiBr and 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AMIMCl). Results showed that KOH/thiourea solution was an effective solvent for corn starch dissolution (30 min with 97.01% solubility). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and 13C CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy revealed that native crystallinity of the corn starch was altered by all tested solvents, especially DMSO/LiBr and AMIMCl. Conversely, this new solvent did not change the primary molecular structure, chain-length distribution, or thermal stability of starch, compared with the native starch. Furthermore, KOH/thiourea solution was more suitable for measuring the molecular weight of corn starch, with a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 7.18 x 107 g/mol. Therefore, KOH/thiourea solution is a promising novel solvent for starch dissolution and structural exploration.

Automated summary

The study found that KOH/thiourea solution is an effective solvent for corn starch dissolution, achieving high solubility in a short period of time; compared with other solvents, KOH/thiourea solution does not alter the primary molecular structure and thermal stability of starch; furthermore, KOH/thiourea solution is more suitable for measuring the molecular weight of starch.