Starch/carboxylated polymer composites

Abstract

This invention relates to an inhibited non-solubilized granular starch modified by less than 5% of a carboxylated polymer. In addition, a process is provided wherein a non-solubilized, substantially granular starch is mixed with a carboxylated polymer, dried to form a starch/carboxylated polymer blend and then physically treated to form a starch/carboxylated polymer composite. Further, this invention relates to the improved industrial and food products prepared from these starch/carboxylated polymer composites.

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       6 . A process for preparing a composite composition comprising the steps of: 
 (a) preparing a mixture of a carboxylated polymer, a starch and a solvent;    (b) drying the mixture to form a dried starch/carboxylated polymer blend with a moisture content below 20%; and    (c) physically treating the blend so that an aqueous solution to achieve a composite that demonstrates inhibition;    provided that throughout the process the starch does not completely gelatinize.    
   
   
       7 . The process according to  claim 6  wherein in step (a) the starch is added to a solution of the carboxylated polymer in the solvent.  
   
   
       8 . The process of  claim 6  wherein in step (a) the carboxylated polymer is added to the starch which is mixed in the solvent.  
   
   
       9 . The process of  claim 6  wherein in step (a) the carboxylated polymer and starch are first blended together to form a blend, and then the solvent is sprayed on the blend.  
   
   
       10 . The process of  claim 6  wherein the carboxylated polymer is selected from the group consisting of xanthan, low methoxyl pectin, carboxymethyl cellulose and polyacrylic acid.  
   
   
       11 . The process of  claim 10  wherein the carboxylated polymer is carboxymethyl cellulose.  
   
   
       12 . The process according to  claim 6  wherein in step (c) the physical treatment is heat or irradiation.  
   
   
       13 . The process of  claim 6  wherein when the physical treatment of step (c) involves temperatures of greater than about 120° C., the moisture content of the dried blend of step (b) is less than about 1% by weight of the blend.  
   
   
       14 . The process of  claim 6  further comprising treating the dried blend of step (b) with acid.  
   
   
       15 . The process of  claim 6  wherein the weight ratio of carboxylated polymer to polysaccharide used in step (a) is less than about 1:20.  
   
   
       16 . The process of  claim 15  wherein the weight ratio of carboxylated polymer to polysaccharide is about 1:200 to about 1:50.  
   
   
       17 . A composite composition prepared according to the process of  claim 6 .  
   
   
       18 . A composite composition prepared according to the process of  claim 9 .  
   
   
       19 . A composite composition prepared according to the process of  claim 15 .  
   
   
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