Effect of fluidized-bed agglomeration with sugar binders on physical, crystallinity, thermal, and pasting properties of native potato starch

Fluidized-bed agglomeration of native potato starch (NPS) with sugar binders [maltodextrin (MD) and lactose] produced larger particles with a more porous and diverse shape. Moreover, the agglomerated potato starch (APS) exhibited improved flowability and solubility. All powders displayed a B-type X-ray diffraction pattern. Although lactose did not impact the crystallinity of APS, that of APS prepared with MD decreased as the MD concentration increased. NPS showed higher gelatinization temperatures than APS prepared with distilled water (the control). Moreover, as binder concentration increased, the gelatinization temperatures and enthalpy of APS increased and decreased, respectively, indicating a delay in gelatinization. Similar results were observed with the pasting properties, wherein APS with sugar binders exhibited lower pasting, breakdown, setback, and final viscosities compared to the control. These were likely a result of decreased amylose leaching from the granules during heating due to the presence of sugar.