Preparation and physicochemical properties of porous starch via electric field-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis.

Electric field technology can achieve efficient and continuous directional modification of starch. This study investigated the effects of electric field application timing (before, during, and after enzymatic hydrolysis) on the characteristics of porous starch obtained through electric field-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis. The combined treatment significantly enhanced starch physicochemical properties, yet the crystalline structure remained intact and unchanged. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that porous starch treated with an electric field applied during enzymatic hydrolysis (EDEPS) exhibited optimal pore size, porosity and adsorption performance. Compared with conventionally prepared porous starch (EPS), the oil and water absorption capacities of EDEPS increased from 82.43% and 115% to 97.46% and 145%, respectively. The findings of this study provide fundamental data and technical reference for directional modification of starch by electric field-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis.