Acetylystävät

Acetylystävät is a Finnish term that translates to "acetylated starches" in English. Acetylated starches are modified starches that have undergone a chemical process involving acetylation. This process introduces acetyl groups into the starch molecule, altering its physical and chemical properties. The degree of acetylation, meaning the number of acetyl groups attached to the starch, can be varied to achieve different functional characteristics.

These modified starches are widely used in the food industry as thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and gelling agents. They can improve the texture, mouthfeel, and shelf-life of various food products, including sauces, dairy products, baked goods, and confectionery. Acetylated starches offer advantages such as enhanced stability under acidic conditions and improved freeze-thaw stability compared to native starches.

Beyond food applications, acetylated starches find uses in other industries. In paper manufacturing, they can act as surface sizing agents to improve paper strength and printability. They are also employed in the pharmaceutical industry as binders and disintegrants in tablet formulations. The specific properties of an acetylated starch, such as its viscosity, gelatinization temperature, and solubility, are tailored by controlling the acetylation process and the type of starch used as the base material.