Effect of the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate on the phase transition of starch: Dissolution or gelatinization?

This work revealed that the interactions between starch, the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim][OAc]), and water might contribute to the phase transition (gelatinization, dissolution, or both) of native starch at reduced temperature. Using mixtures of water and [Emim][OAc] at certain ratios (7.2/1 and 10.8/1 mol/mol), both the gelatinization and dissolution of the starch occur competitively, but also in a synergistic manner. At lower [Emim][OAc] concentration (water/[Emim][OAc] molar ratio ≥ 25.0/1), mainly gelatinization occurs which is slightly impeded by the strong interaction between water and [Emim][OAc]; while at higher [Emim][OAc] concentration (water/[Emim][OAc] molar ratio ≤ 2.8/1), the dissolution of starch is the major form of phase transition, possibly restricted by the difficulty of [Emim][OAc] to interact with starch.