OBTAINING STARCH MODIFIED PALM FORAGE (Opuntia ficus-indica)
modified starch. spineless cactus. Phosphorylation. Oxidation
Obtaining and chemical modification of starch from forage Palma (Opuntia ficus-indica) is the object of study of this work. The starch was extracted from cactus pear presented purity 99.30% and modified routes this starch were oxidation and phosphorylation with the assessment of the effects of this change. The starch was modified by sodium periodate to the oxidation process, while for the phosphorylation process was varied the concentration of sodium tripolyphosphate compared to reaction times in order to establish phosphorus limits suitable for use in foods based on Codex Alimentarius . The results showed an increase in phosphorus content to give maximum accordance with the rules in time 40 minutes with 7% sodium tripolyphosphate. The results further indica ted that both factors studied (time, concentration) influence the starch phosphate treatment due to the interaction of these independent variables. Of the properties evaluated the native and modified starch were determined chemical composition, phosphorus, starch, amylose and the shape and size of the starch granules. Chemical modification of starch caused higher phosphorus and ash and decreased levels of starch and amylose, achieving experimentally most phosphating according to the legislation in time from 40 minutes to 7% of sodium tripolyphosphate after going through a process dialysis. The functional properties of the samples were analyzed on native starch and modified and determined density, swelling power, solubility index characterizing the gel turbidity, syneresis, paste viscosity, calorimetric analysis. The native starch from cactus pear density showed 1.67 g.mL-1 and the modification decreased the density of native starch. The swelling power and solubility index of the native and modified starch showed significant differences. The modification also decreased the absorbance because it facilitates the passage of light, while syneresis was influenced by modifying, with an increase in the storage cycle number, and a decrease in chemical modification. The phosphate starch showed higher viscosity slurry than native starch because they possess greater power of swelling and solubility rate in water.