Preparation of amphoteric starches during aqueous alcohol cationization

Use of an aqueous alcoholic-alkaline solvent allowed cationization and phosphorylation to be combined in simultaneous or sequential processes in the production of amphoteric starch. Degrees of substitution required by the paper industry were obtained in normal corn, pea and barley starches, and in waxy corn and barley starches without the need for drying and heating the cationic starches to complete the phosphorylation reaction. The amphoteric starches had increased swelling power, lower gelatinization temperatures, improved paste consistency and stability, and increased alpha-amylase digestibility than native controls, while gel syneresis after cold storage was eliminated.