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Crystal structure transformations in extruded starch plasticized with glycerol and urea

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Abstract

Cornstarch was processed on an extruder with glycerol and different contents of urea giving rise to samples named as SGU-0, SGU-1, SGU-5, and SGU-10. The gelatinization enthalpy ΔHgel, calculated by DSC, indicated that the mixture of glycerol and urea seems to better plasticize the starch than glycerol alone. XRD was used to identify the changes in the crystal structure of native starch after extrusion processing. XRD diffractograms indicated the presence of both residual native crystallinity and processing-induced crystallinity. The morphology observed by SEM was compatible with the presence of residual crystals and recrystallization, as suggested by XRD analysis. SAXS experiments pointed out the minute amount of B-type crystallites in the samples with urea, probably due to the hydrophilic character of urea, which contributes to starch hydration.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge financial support from the Brazilian Research funding agencies: National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), and Foundation for Research Support of the State of Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Design Postgraduation Program (PPGD), School of Design, State University of Minas Gerais - UEMG, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 7545, CEP 31.270-010, São Luiz, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Daniel de S. Gamarano & Eliane Ayres

  2. Brazilian Army Technological Center, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    Iaci Miranda Pereira

  3. Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Itajubá - UNIFEI, Itabira, MG, Brazil

    Mercês C. da Silva

  4. Mechanical Department, Federal Institute of Minas Gerais - IFMG, Congonhas, MG, Brazil

    Artur C. Mottin

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  1. Daniel de S. Gamarano
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Gamarano, D.d., Pereira, I.M., da Silva, M.C. et al. Crystal structure transformations in extruded starch plasticized with glycerol and urea. Polym. Bull. 77, 4971–4992 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-019-02999-2

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