Dielectric barrier atmospheric cold plasma applied to the modification of Ariá (Goeppertia allouia) starch: Effect of plasma generation voltage.

The goal of this paper was to evaluate the influence of a range of plasma generation voltages on the physicochemical, structural, and technological properties of Aria (Goeppertia allouia) starch. Untreated (0 kV) and high voltages of cold plasma generation (7, 10, 14, and 20 kV) treated samples were evaluated according to their amylose content, pH, groups carbonyl/carboxyl, molecular size distribution, structure and technological properties (empirical viscosity, hydration properties, thermal analysis and gel strength). The applied voltage of 14 kV resulted in the greatest depolymerization of the starch chains, while 20 kV allowed the formation of oxidized complexes, promoting crosslinking of the starches chain. The cold plasma technique did not affect the levels of resistant starches, but increased the starch digestibility. The increased carbonyl and carboxyl groups also influenced the paste viscosity, improved hydration properties. This study suggests that the cold plasma technique can be useful in the controlled modification of starches, producing starches with different technological properties.