Highly Substituted Carboxymethyl Starch

Abstract Carboxymethyl starches (CMS) with a degree of substitution (DS) in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 and reagent yields about 70% were synthesised under heterogeneous reaction conditions. Starting from a standard procedure for manufacturing low substituted CMS the molar ratios of the reagents were increased. Under these conditions starch particles agglomerated during the reaction and the stirrer stopped. The reaction conditions (pulp density, addition of dispersing and water binding agents, pressure, sequence of reagents addition, reaction time, temperature, starch variety, etc.) were varied to find the best process conditions for optimum reaction efficiencies and product properties. If an amylose‐free starch, e.g. waxy corn starch is used as starting material, the obtained products are completely soluble in water to form a clear solution. The products are good viscosity regulators. Using a 2% aqueous solution a wide range of viscosity (1–90 000 mPa s) can be adjusted. The calcium‐binding capacity and the biodegradability of the products were investigated.