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Residue Monograph prepared by the meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert

Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), 86th Meeting 2018

MODIFIED STARCHES

This monograph was also published in: Compendium of Food Additive Specifications. Joint
FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), 86th meeting 2018. FAO JECFA
Monographs 22

© FAO/WHO 2018
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MODIFIED STARCHES

Prepared at the 86th JECFA (2018) and published in FAO JECFA

Monograph 22 (2018), superseding specifications included in 16
individual specification monographs prepared at the 82nd JECFA
(2016), published in FAO JECFA Monographs 19 (2016).

MODULAR MONOGRAPH consisting of "GENERAL

SPECIFICATIONS"(a) that contains common specifications to all
modified starches(INS 1400, 1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, 1405, 1410,
1412, 1413, 1414, 1420, 1422, 1440, 1442, 1450, 1451), and 8
ANNEXES that contain specifications related to the chemical treatments
of native starches:

- ANNEX 1(a) – Fragmentation.

- ANNEX 2(a) – Bleaching.
- ANNEX 3(a) – Esterification and/or crosslinking with
phosphorous containing compounds.
- ANNEX 4(a) – Acetylation.
- ANNEX 5(a) – Oxidation.
- ANNEX 6(a) – Esterification with octenyl succinic anhydride.
- ANNEX 7(a) – Etherification with propylene epoxide.
- ANNEX 8(a) – Esterification and crosslinking with adipic
anhydride.

The General specifications are applicable to the following modified

starches, each of which should additionally fulfil the specifications of
the ANNEXES as follows:

Modified INS Annex ADI STATUS

Starch
Dextrin roasted 1400 1 N.S.(1) T(3)
starch
Acid treated 1401 1 N.S.(1) T(3)
starch
Alkaline treated 1402 1 N.S.(1) T(3)
starch
Bleached starch 1403 2 N.S.(1) T(3)
Oxidized starch 1404 5 N.S.(1) T(3)
Enzyme-treated 1405 1 N.S.(1) T(3)
starch
Monostarch 1410 3 N.S.(1) T(3)
phosphate
Distarch 1412 3 N.S.(1) T(3)
phosphate
Phosphated 1413 3 N.S.(1) T(3)
distarch
phosphate

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Acetylated 1414 3, 4 N.S.(1) T(3)

distarch
phosphate
Starch acetate 1420 4 N.S.(1) T(3)
Acetylated 1422 4, 8 N.S.(1) T(3)
distarch adipate
Hydroxypropyl 1440 7 N.S.(1) T(3)
starch
Hydroxypropyl 1442 3, 7 N.S.(1) T(3)
distarch
phosphate
Starch sodium 1450 6 N.S.(1) T(3)
octenylsuccinat
e
Acetylated 1451 4, 5 N.S.(2) T(3)
oxidized starch
Should any of the modified starches be subjected to additional chemical
treatment, the appropriate specifications outlined in the respective
ANNEX should be met. Consequently, for all fragmented and/or
bleached starches the specifications of ANNEXES 1 and/or 2
respectively should be met.
(a)
Prepared at the 86th JECFA (2018) and published in FAO JECFA
Monograph 22 (2018), superseding specifications included in
specification monographs prepared at the 82nd JECFA (2016),
published in FAO JECFA Monographs 19(2016).
(1)
An ADI “not specified” was established at the 26th JECFA (1982).
(2)
An ADI “not specified” was established at the 57th JECFA (2001).
(3)
T: TENTATIVE

© FAO/WHO 2018
Summary Table
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
IDENTIFICATION PURITY
Solubility Microscopy Iodine Stain Copper Reduction pH Loss on Drying Lead Microbiological Criteria Sulfur dioxide
≤0.2mg/k ≤50 mg/kg d.w.
Granular Red precipitate after g d.w. Aerobic Plate Count: ≤1000 for modified
structure Colour from dark blue addition of hot alkaline Cereal starch ≤15.0%; Pb (≤0.1 CFU/g; Yeasts and molds: cereal
Insoluble in cold
typical of to red after addition of cupric tartrate to a test 3.0 -9.0 Potato starch: ≤21.0%; mg/kg) for ≤1000 CFU/g; Total Coliforms: starches; ≤10
water
the starch tri-iodide sample refluxed under Other starches: ≤18.0% OSA for ≤10 cfu/g; Information mg/kg d.w. for
source acidic condition infant required. other modified
formula starches
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
Modified Starch Annex IDENTIFICATION PURITY
Dextrin roasted Dispersion index (Information Required); Reducing sugars
1 No additional
(INS 1400) (Information Required)
Acid treated (INS Dispersion index (Information Required); Reducing sugars
1 No additional
1401) (Information Required)
Alkaline treated Dispersion index (Information Required); Reducing sugars
1 No additional
starch (INS 1402) (Information Required)
Bleached (INS
2 No additional Carboxyl groups (≤0.1% d.w.);Residual oxidising substances (Information Required)
1403)
Oxidized (INS
5 hypochlorite oxidized starch Carboxyl groups (≤1.3% d.w.);Residual hypochlorite (Information Required)
1404)
Enzyme-treated Dispersion index (Information Required); Reducing sugars
1 No additional
(INS1405) (Information Required)
Monostarch
phosphate (INS 3 Information required Phosphate (≤0.5% d.w. for potato or wheat starches; ≤0.4% d.wfor other starches)
1410)
Distarch
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phosphate (INS 3 Information required Phosphate (≤0.5% d.w. for potato or wheat starches; ≤0.4% d.w. for other starches)
1412)
Phosphated

© FAO/WHO 2018
distarch phosphate 3 Information required Phosphate (≤0.5% d.w. for potato or wheat starches; ≤0.4% d.w. for other starches)
(INS 1413)
Acetylated distarch
Phosphate (≤0.14% d.w. for potato or wheat starches; ≤0.04% d.w. for other starches)
phosphate (INS 3, 4 Acetyl group; Ester group; Information required
Acetyl groups (≤2.5%d.w.); Ester groups (≤0.5%d.w.)
1414)
Starch acetate
4 Acetyl group; Ester group Acetyl groups (≤2.5%d.w.); Ester groups (≤0.5%d.w.)
(INS 1420)
Acetylated distarch Acetyl groups (≤2.5%d.w.); Vinyl acetate (≤0.1 mg/kg); Ester groups (≤0.5%d.w.)
4, 8 Acetyl group; Ester group; Information required
adipate (INS 1422) Adipate groups (≤0.135%d.w.); Residual free adipic acid (Information Required)
Hydroxypropyl
7 Hydroxypropyl ether groups Hydroxypropyl groups (≤7.0% d.w.); Propylene chlorohydrins (≤1 mg/kg d.w.)
starch (INS 1440)
Hydroxypropyl
Phosphate (≤0.14% d.w. for potato or wheat starches; ≤0.04% d.w. for other starches)
distarch phosphate 3, 7 Hydroxypropyl ether groups; Information required
Hydroxypropyl groups (≤7.0% d.w.); Propylene chlorohydrins (≤1 mg/kg d.w.)
(INS 1442)
Starch sodium
octenylsuccinate 6 No additional Octenylsuccinyl groups (≤3% d.w.); Residual free octenylsuccinic acid (≤0.3%d.w.);
(INS 1450)
Acetylated
Acetyl groups (≤2.5%d.w.); Vinyl acetate (≤0.1 mg/kg); Ester groups (≤0.5%d.w.)
oxidized starch 4, 5 Acetyl group
Carboxyl groups (≤1.3% d.w.);Residual hypochlorite (Information Required)
(INS 1451)
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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR MODIFIED STARCHES

(VERSION 2018 - TENTATIVE)

Information required:
• Suitable microbiological acceptance criteria and supporting
data

DEFINITION Starch consists mainly of amylose and amylopectin. Amylose is a

linear molecule of α-D-glucopyranosyl units linked by (1-4)-α-
linkages. Amylopectin is a highly-branched polymer of α-D-
glucopyranosyl units linked by (1-4)-α-linkages and by(1-6)-α-
linkages that constitute the branch points. Each glucose unit
possesses a maximum of three hydroxyls that can undergo
chemical substitution.

Native starches can be physically (pre-gelatinized starches) and/or

chemically modified for improved functionality. The most common
sources of native starch used in these modifications are various
roots, tubers, cereals and legumes. Modified starches are used in
applications requiring special properties not attainable by native
starches.

Chemical modifications of native starches are often performed, in

an aqueous suspension under controlled conditions of pH, time
and temperature, unless otherwise indicated in the description of
the respective annex. After sufficient reaction time, the modified
starch is recovered by filtration or centrifugation, washed with
water, dried and packaged. The relevant modification reactions
can be, separately or in combination, fragmentations (hydrolysis,
oxidation, enzymatic), bleaching, oxidation, esterification,
etherification or phosphorylation of one or more of the hydroxyl
groups of the α-D-glucopyranosyl units or crosslinking using
polyfunctional agents.

See the appropriate Annex or Annexes for the treatment that is

applicable to individual modified starch products.

C.A.S numbers See ANNEXES

DESCRIPTION White or nearly white powder or granules or (if pre-gelatinized)

flakes, or amorphous powder or coarse particles.

FUNCTIONAL USES Thickener, stabilizer, binder, emulsifier

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CHARACTERISTICS

IDENTIFICATION

Solubility (Vol. 4) Insoluble in cold water (if not pre-gelatinised); forming typical
colloidal solutions with viscous properties in hot water; insoluble in
ethanol.

Microscopy Passes test

See description under TESTS

Iodine stain Passes test

See description under TESTS

Copper reduction Passes test

See description under TESTS

PURITY

General Requirements:

pH 3.0 – 9.0

See description under TESTS

Loss on drying (Vol 4) Cereal starch: not more than 15.0%

Potato starch: not more than 21.0%

Other starches: not more than 18.0%

Conditions: 120°, 4 h, vacuum not exceeding 100 mm Hg

Lead (Vol. 4) Not more than 0.2 mg/kg on the dried basis

Not more than 0.1 mg/kg on the dried basis for Starch sodium
octenylsuccinate (INS 1450) for use in infant formula and formula for
special medical purposes intended for infants(see Annex 6)

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Determine using a method appropriate to the specified level. The

selection of sample size and method of sample preparation may be
based on principles of methods described in Volume 4 (under
“General Methods, Metallic Impurities”).

Microbiological Criteria Aerobic plate count: Not more than 1000 CFU/g
(Vol 4)
Yeasts and moulds: Not more than 1000 CFU/g

Total coliforms: Not more than 10 CFU/g

Information required

Sulphur dioxide (Vol. 4) Not more than 50 mg/kg on the dried basis for modified cereal
starches

Not more than 10 mg/kg on the dried basis for other modified
starches

TESTS

IDENTIFICATION
TESTS

Microscopy Each modified starch, which has not been pre-gelatinized, retains its
granular structure and can be identified as a starch by microscopic
observation. The typical polarization cross is observed when sample
is examined with a polarizing microscope, in polarized light under
crossed Nicol prisms.

Corn starch: Polygonal, rounded or spherical granules up to 35 µm

diameter having a circular or several-rayed central cleft.

Potato starch: Irregular shaped, ovoid, pear-shaped granules (30-

100 µm diameter, occasionally >100 µm); both, the ovoid, the pear-
shaped granules and the rounded granules have an eccentric hilum.
All granules show clearly visible concentric striations.

Tapioca starch: Spherical granules with one truncated side (5-35 µm

diameter) usually having a circular or several-rayed central cleft.

Wheat starch: large and small granules (10-60 µm diameter). The

central hilum and striations are visible and barely visible.

Iodine stain Add a few drops of 0.1 N potassium triiodide to an aqueous

suspension of the sample. The modified starch stains with iodine in
the same way as native starches. The colour can range from dark
blue to red.

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Copper reduction Place about 2.5 g of the sample previously washed with water, in a
boiling flask; add 10 ml of dilute hydrochloric acid (3%) and 70 ml of
water; mix, reflux for about three hours and cool. Add 0.5 ml of the
resulting solution to 5 ml of hot alkaline cupric tartrate TS. A copious
red precipitate is produced.

PURITY TESTS

pH (Vol. 4) Suspend 20 g of the sample with 80 ml of water, and agitate

continuously at a moderate rate for 5 min (In the case of pre-
gelatinised starches, 3 g should be suspended in 97 ml of water).

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ANNEX 1: ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR STARCHES MODIFIED BY FRAGMENTATION

(VERSION 2018 - TENTATIVE)

Information is required on:

• A suitable method for dispersion and a method for

reducing sugars and data on at least 5 representative
batches using the method(s) from each of the
fragmentation processes

APPLIES TO Dextrin roasted starch (INS No. 1400)

Acid treated starch (INS No. 1401)

Alkaline treated starch (INS No. 1402)

Enzyme-treated starch (INS No. 1405)

All modified starches that are fragmented

SYNONYMS Modified starch by fragmentation, converted starch, hydrolysed

starch.

TREATMENT The fragmentation of native starch results in products

containing polymers with a lower average molecular weight and
reduced viscosity. The manufacturing details for the various
modified starches by fragmentation in this monograph are
described as below:
- Dextrin roasted starch, INS. 1400: is manufactured by
dry heating or roasting of native starch with hydrochloric
acid or ortho-phosphoric acid in heated and/or agitated
vessels. The final dextrin roasted starch is obtained by
drying.
- Acid treated starch, INS. 1401 is obtained by treating a
slurry or a suspension of native food starch with dilute
hydrochloric acid, ortho-phosphoric acid, or sulphuric
acid.
- Alkaline treated starch, INS. 1402 is obtained by treating
a suspended solution of native food starches with
sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.
- Enzyme-treated starch, INS 1405 is obtained by treating
a suspension of native food starch with one or more
food-grade amyolytic-enzymes (e.g., α-amylase (E.C.
3.2.1.1), β-amylase (3.2.1.2), glucoamylase (3.2.1.3),
isoamylase (3.2.1.68), pullulanase (E.C. 3.2.1.41)).

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The properties of the modified starches by fragmentation vary

depending on the source of native starch, reaction conditions
(pH, reaction time, reaction temperature, fragmenting reagent
etc.) The alteration of native starch allows for applications that
require reduced viscosity in hot solutions and/or typically utilise
high levels of modified starches.

C.A.S number 9004-53-9 (Dextrins)

65996-63-6 (Acid-hydrolysed starch)

68909-37-5 (Acid-hydrolysed amylopectin)

9005-84-9 (Starch soluble)

65996-64-7 (Enzyme-hydrolysed starch)

1001439-91-3 (Enzyme-treated amylopectin).

CHARACTERISTICS

IDENTITY

Dispersion identity Information required.

Reducing sugars Information required

TESTS

IDENTIFICATION
TESTS

Dispersion test Information required

Reducing sugars Information required

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ANNEX 2: ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR BLEACHED STARCHES

(VERSION 2018 - TENTATIVE)

Information is required on:

• Suitable method(s) for the determination of residual
reagents and data on at least 5 representative batches
using the method(s).

APPLIES TO Bleached starch INS No. 1403

All modified starches that are bleached

TREATMENT Peracetic acid and/or hydrogen peroxide, or sodium hypochlorite,

sodium chlorite, sulfur dioxide, alternative permitted forms of
sulphites, potassium permanganate, or ammonium persulfate

Bleaching is performed to improve physical attributes such as

colour due to oxidation of traces of pigments such as carotenoids
and xanthophylls. The change is essentially in the colour only.
Residual reagents are either removed or limited to technically
unavoidable levels.

C.A.S number 977075-42-5

and all other modified starches submitted to bleaching

CHARACTERISTICS

PURITY

Manganese (Vol. 4) Not more than 50 mg/kg on the dried basis

Determine using a method appropriate to the specified level. The

selection of sample size and method of sample preparation may
be based on principles of methods described in Volume 4 (under
“General Methods, Metallic Impurities”).

Residual oxidising Information required

substances

Carboxyl groups (Vol. 4) Not more than 0.1% on the dried basis applying the correction for
phosphate content as outlined in Note 6 of the method for
starches esterified with phosphorus containing compounds.

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ANNEX 3: ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR STARCHES ESTERIFIED AND/OR CROSSLINKED WITH

PHOSPHORUS CONTAINING COMPOUNDS
(VERSION 2018 - TENTATIVE)

Information required on: A suitable method for identification of

crosslinking and data on at least 5 representative batches of
crosslinked and non-crosslinked starches.

APPLIES TO Monostarch phosphate (INS No. 1410)

Distarch phosphate (INS No. 1412)

Phosphated distarch phosphate (INS No. 1413)

Acetylated distarch phosphate (INS No. 1414)

Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (INS No. 1442)

TREATMENT The phosphorus containing compounds ortho-phosphoric acid,

sodium or potassium ortho-phosphate and sodium
tripolyphosphate, can be used for esterification and the sodium
trimetaphosphate or phosphorus oxychloride for crosslinking.
- Monostarch phosphate (INS 1410) is obtained by
esterification/crosslinking of unmodified food starch with
ortho-phosphoric acid, or sodium or potassium ortho-
phosphate, or sodium tripolyphosphate
- Distarch phosphate (INS 1412) is obtained by
crosslinking of unmodified food starch with sodium
trimetaphosphate or phosphorus oxychloride
- Phosphated distarch phosphate (INS 1413) is obtained
by esterification/crosslinking of unmodified food starch
with sodium trimetaphosphate or phosphorus
oxychloride combined with esterification with ortho-
phosphoric acid, or sodium or potassium ortho-
phosphate, or sodium tripolyphosphate
- Acetylated distarch phosphate (NS 1414) is obtained by
esterification/crosslinking of unmodified food starch with
sodium trimetaphosphate or phosphorus oxychloride
combined with esterification with acetic anhydride or
vinyl acetate
- Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (INS1442) is
obtained by esterification of unmodified food starch with
sodium trimetaphosphate or phosphorus oxychloride
combined with etherification by propylene oxide

Phosphorylation results in partial substitution of the 2, 3- or 6-

position of the anhydro glucose unit unless the 6-position is
occupied for branching. In the case of cross-linking, where a
polyfunctional substituting agent, such as phosphorus

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oxychloride, connects two chains, the structure can be

represented by: Starch-O-R-O-Starch, where R = cross-linking
group and Starch refers to the linear and/or branched structure.

C.A.S numbers Monostarch phosphate (INS 1410)

11120-02-8(Modified starch)
63055-37-8 (Modified amylopectin)

Distarch phosphate (INS No. 1412)

55963-33-2(Modified starch)
63055-37-8 (Modified amylopectin)

Phosphated distarch phosphate (INS No. 1413)

11120-02-8(Modified starch)
63055-37-8 (Modified amylopectin)

Acetylated distarch phosphate (INS No. 1414)

9067-33-8(Modified starch)
68130-14-3(Modified starch)
113894-91-0 (Modified amylopectin)

Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (INS No. 1442)

53124-00-8(Modified starch)
113894-92-1 (Modified amylopectin)

CHARACTERISTICS

PURITY

Phosphate (calculated For monostarch phosphate (INS No. 1410), distarch phosphate
as phosphorus) (Vol. (INS No. 1412), and phosphate distarch phosphate (INS No.
4) 1413)

Not more than 0.5% on the dried basis for potato or

wheat starches

Not more than 0.4% on the dried basis for other

starches

For acetylated distarch phosphate (INS No. 1414) and

hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (INS No. 1442)

Not more than 0.14% on the dried basis for potato and
wheat starch

Not more than 0.04% on the dried basis for other

starches

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IDENTITY

Crosslinking Information Required

ANNEX 4: ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR ACETYLATED STARCHES
Version 2018

APPLIES TO Acetylated distarch phosphate (INS No. 1414)

Starch acetate (INS No. 1420)

Acetylated distarch adipate (INS No. 1422)

Acetylated oxidized starch (INS No. 1451)

TREATMENT This type of modified starch is obtained by esterification with

acetic anhydride or vinyl acetate. Acetylation results in
substitution of hydroxyl groups with acetyl esters.

- Acetylated distarch phosphate (INS 1414) is obtained

by esterification/cross-linking of unmodified food
starch with sodium trimetaphosphate or phosphorus
oxychloride combined with esterification with acetic
anhydride or vinyl acetate.
- Starch acetate (INS 1420) is obtained by esterification
of food starches with acetic anhydride or vinyl acetate
- Acetylated distarch adipate (INS 1422) is obtained by
esterification of unmodified food starch with acetic
anhydride and esterification/cross-linking with adipic
anhydride
- Acetylated oxidized starch (INS 1451) is obtained by
treatment of food starch with sodium hypochlorite
followed by esterification with acetic anhydride

C.A.S numbers Acetylated distarch phosphate (INS No. 1414)

9067-33-8(Modified starch)
68130-14-3(Modified starch)
113894-91-0 (Modified amylopectin)

Starch acetate (INS No. 1420)

9045-28-7 (Modified starch)

Acetylated distarch adipate (INS No. 1422)

63798-35-6(Modified starch)
63055-36-7 (Modified amylopectin)

Acetylated oxidized starch (INS No. 1451)

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68187-08-6(Modified starch)

CHARACTERISTICS

IDENTIFICATION

Specific reaction for Passes TEST

Acetyl groups
See description under TESTS

Ester groups Passes TEST

See description under TESTS

PURITY

Acetyl groups Not more than 2.5% on the dried basis

See description under TESTS

Vinyl acetate Not more than 0.1 mg/kg

See description under TESTS

TEST

IDENTIFICATION
TESTS

Specific reaction for Principle

acetyl groups Acetate is liberated upon saponification of acetylated
starch and converted to acetone by heating with calcium
hydroxide. The acetone thus produced stains blue with
o-nitrobenzaldehyde.

Procedure
Suspend about 10 g of the sample in 25 ml water. Add
20 ml of 0.4 M NaOH. After shaking for 1 h filter the
starch off and evaporate the filtrate in an oven at 110°.
Dissolve the residue in a few drops of water and transfer
to a test tube. Add calcium hydroxide and heat the tube.
If the sample is acetylated starch, acetone vapours are
produced. These produce a blue colour on a paper strip
soaked in a fresh saturated solution of o-
nitrobenzaldehyde in 2 M NaOH. The blue colour is
more distinct when the original yellow colour of the

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reagents is removed with 1 drop of a 1 in 10 solution of

hydrochloric acid.

Ester groups The infrared spectrum of a thin film gives a typical absorption
band at about 1720 cm-1 which is an indication for ester
groups. The limit of detection is about 0.5% acetyl groups in
the product.

PURITY TESTS

Acetyl groups Accurately weigh about 5 g of the sample and transfer into a
250 ml conical flask. Suspend in 50 ml of water, add a few
drops of phenolphthalein TS, and titrate with 0.1 M sodium
hydroxide to a permanent pink end-point. Add 25.0 ml of 0.45 M
sodium hydroxide, stopper the flask, and shake vigorously for
30 min, preferably with a mechanical shaker. (NOTE: the
temperature should not exceed 30o as some starches may
gelatinise). Remove the stopper, wash the stopper and sides of
the flask with a few ml of water, and titrate the excess alkali with
0.2 M hydrochloric acid to the disappearance of the pink colour.
Record the volume, in ml of 0.2 M hydrochloric acid required as
S.

Perform a blank titration on 25.0 ml of 0.45 M sodium hydroxide,

and record the volume, in ml, of 0.2 M hydrochloric acid
required as B.

(B − S) × M × 0.043 × 100
Acetyl groups % =
W

where
M is the molarity of hydrochloric acid solution; and
W is the weight of sample, in grams.

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ANNEX 5: ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR STARCHES SUBJECTED TO OXIDATION

(VERSION 2018 - TENTATIVE)

Information is required on:

• A suitable method for determination of residual
hypochlorite and data on at least 5 representative
batches using the method.

APPLIES TO Oxidized starch (INS No. 1404)

Acetylated oxidized starch (INS No. 1451)

TREATMENT Sodium hypochlorite is used for oxidation.

• Oxidized starch (INS 1404) is obtained by treatment of

food starch with sodium hypochlorite.

• Acetylated oxidized starch (INS 1451) is obtained by

treatment of food starch with sodium hypochlorite followed
by esterification with acetic anhydride.

Oxidation involves the deliberate production of carboxyl

groups.

C.A.S number Oxidised starch (INS No. 1404)

65996-62-5 (modified starch)
113894-86-3 (modified amylopectin)

Acetylated oxidised starch (INS No. 1451)

68187-08-6

CHARACTERISTICS

IDENTIFICATION

Test for hypochlorite Passes test

oxidized starch
See description under TESTS

PURITY

Carboxyl groups Not more than 1.3% on the dried basis

(Vol. 4)

Residual hypochlorite Information required

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TESTS

IDENTIFICATION
TESTS

Test for hypochlorite Principle

oxidized starch Because of the carboxyl group content, hypochlorite-
oxidized starch has anionic properties. It can be dyed with
positively charged dyes such as methylene blue. The test
is not suitable for slightly oxidized potato starch due to the
presence of phosphate groups.

Procedure
50 mg of the sample are kept in suspension for 5-10 min
in 25 ml of a 1% aqueous dye solution and stirred
occasionally. After decantation of the excess solution, the
starch is washed with distilled water. Microscopic
inspection clearly shows colouring, if the sample is
hypochlorite-oxidized starch. By this test hypochlorite-
oxidized starch is distinguished from native and acid
modified starch of the same botanical origin.

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ANNEX 6: ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR STARCHES ESTERIFIED WITH OCTENYLSUCCINIC

ANHYDRIDE
Version 2018

APPLIES TO Starch sodium octenylsuccinate (INS No. 1450)

TREATMENT Octenylsuccinic anhydride can be used for the esterification and

either sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate as a pH buffer for
neutralisation.

C.A.S numbers Starch sodium octenylsuccinate

66829-29-6(Modified starch)
52906-93-1(Modified starch)
125109-81-1 (Modified amylopectin)

CHARACTERISTICS

PURITY

Octenylsuccinyl groups Not more than 3% on the dried basis

See description under TESTS

Residual free Not more than 0.3% on the dried basis

octenylsuccinic acid
See description under TESTS

PURITY TEST

Octenylsuccinate Principle
groups and residual Residual free octenylsuccinic acid in the sample is extracted and
free octenylsuccinic determined by HPLC/UV. Total octenylsuccinic content is
acid in Starch sodium determined using the same method after hydrolysis of the
octenyl succinate sample. Octenylsuccinate ester groups on the modified starch are
calculated by subtraction of the residual free octenylsuccinic acid
from the total.

Standard and Reagents

Octenylsuccinic anhydride:
2-Octen-1-ylsuccinic anhydride, mixture of cis and trans
(>97%) (CAS: 42482-06-4)

0.1 N potassium hydroxide:

Weigh1.4 g of potassium hydroxide, dissolve in water and
dilute to 250 ml

© FAO/WHO 2018
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0.073 mol/l phosphoric acid:

Dilute 1 ml of phosphoric acid (85%, density 1.686g/cm3)
to 200 ml with water.

Preparation of standard solutions

Accurately weigh about 20 mg of octenylsuccinic
anhydride, add 10 ml of 0.1N potassium hydroxide,
stopper and heat at 80° for 3 hours. After cooling, add
8 ml of 0.073mol/l phosphoric acid and dilute with water to
20 ml. Pipette 2 ml of this solution into a 20 ml volumetric
flask and dilute with water. Pipette 1 ml, 2 ml, 5 ml, and 10
ml of the resulting solution into four separate 20-ml
volumetric flasks, and dilute each to volume with water to
prepare standards of 5 μg/ml, 10 μg/ml, 25 μg/ml and 50
μg/ml respectively.

Preparation of test solution A (for residual octenylsuccinic acid):

Accurately weigh about 0.1 g of sample, add 20 ml of
methanol, and shake for 18 hours or more. Centrifuge the
mixture at about 3000 rpm for 5 minutes, pipette 10 ml of
the supernatant, and evaporate to dryness under vacuum
at 40°. Dissolve the residue and dilute with water in a 5 ml
volumetric flask.

Preparation of test solution B (for total octenylsuccinic acid):

Accurately weigh about 20 mg of sample, dissolve in
10 mL of 0.1N potassium hydroxide, stopper and heat at
80°for 3 hours. After cooling, add 8 ml of 0.05mol/l
phosphoric acid, dilute with water to 20 ml.

Procedure
HPLC operating conditions
- Column: A octadecylsilanized silica gel column (250 mm x
4.6 mm, 5µm) (L-Column ODS-V CERI or equivalent)
- Column temperature: 40°
- Detector: UV at 205 nm
- Mobile phase: A 1:1 mixture of 0.1% (v/v) phosphoric acid
solution / acetonitrile
- Injection volume: 20µl
- Flow rate: Adjust the retention time of the main peak to
about 9 minutes.

Inject the test solution A and B and the standard solutions into an
HPLC under the same conditions.

Measure the sum of the peak areas of two main peaks of cis- and
trans-2-octenylsuccinic acid for each standard solution, and
prepare a standard curve for octenylsuccinic anhydride from the
sums obtained and the concentrations of octenylsuccinic

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anhydride in the standard solutions. Measure the sum of the peak

areas of two main peaks for the test solutions A and B. Determine
the concentration of octenylsuccinic acid (µg/ml) in the test
solutions A and B from the standard curve, and calculate residual
and total octenylsuccinic acid, respectively. The value of
octenylsuccinate groups in the sample is calculated by the
following formula:

Calculation:

𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 % = 𝐶𝐶𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂 𝑥𝑥 1.086 / 𝑊𝑊𝑟𝑟 𝑥𝑥 100

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 % = 𝐶𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑥𝑥 1.086 / 𝑊𝑊𝑠𝑠 𝑥𝑥 500

Where
- 1.086 is the molecular weight of octenylsuccinic acid
divided by the molecular weight of octenylsuccinic
anhydride
- Cos is the octenylsuccinic anhydride concentration (µg/ml);
- Wr or W s is the dry-basis weight of the sample (g).

Content (%) of octenylsuccinyl groups =

Content of total octenyl succinic acid – Content of residual
octenylsuccinic acid.

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ANNEX 7: ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR STARCHES ETHERIFIED WITH PROPYLENE OXIDE

(Version 2018 - TENTATIVE)

Information is required on:

• A suitable method for the determination of propylene
chlorohydrin with detection limit lower than 0.1 mg/kg
and data on at least 5 representative batches of
Hydroxypropyl starch using the method.

APPLIES TO Hydroxypropyl starch (INS No. 1440)

Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (INS No. 1442)

TREATMENT Propylene oxide is used for etherification.

• Hydroxypropyl starch (INS No. 1440) is obtained by

etherification of unmodified food starch with propylene
oxide.
• Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (INS No. 1442) is
obtained by esterification of unmodified food starch with
sodium trimetaphosphate or phosphorus oxychloride
combined with etherification by propylene oxide.

Hydroxypropylation results in substitution of hydroxyl groups

with 2-hydroxypropyl ether.

C.A.S numbers Hydroxypropyl starch(INS No. 1440)

9049-76-7(Modified starch)
74315-67-6 (Modified amylopectin)

Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (INS No. 1442)

53124-00-8(Modified starch)
113894-92-1 (Modified amylopectin)

CHARACTERISTICS

IDENTIFICATION

Hydroxypropyl ether Passes test

groups
See description under TESTS

PURITY

Hydroxypropyl groups Not more than 7.0% on the dried basis

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See description under TESTS

Propylene Not more than 1 mg/kg

chlorohydrins
See description under TESTS

TESTS

IDENTIFICATION
TESTS

Hydroxypropyl ether Ninhydrin reagent

groups 1 A 3% solution of 1,2,3-triketohydrindene crystals in 5%
aqueous sodium bisulfite solution.

Procedure
Weigh 100 mg of the sample into a 100-ml volumetric
flask and add 12.5 ml of 2 N sulfuric acid. Prepare a
sample of unmodified starch of the same source (i.e. corn
or potato) in the same manner. Place the flasks in a
boiling water bath and heat until the samples are in
solution. Cool and dilute the contents to 100 ml with water.
Pipet 1 ml of the solutions into 25-ml graduated test tubes
with glass stoppers and, with the tubes immersed in cold
water, add dropwise 8 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid to
each. Mix well and place the tubes in a boiling water bath
for exactly 3 min. Immediately transfer the tubes to an ice
bath until the solution is chilled. Add 0.6 ml of ninhydrin
reagent, carefully allowing the reagent to run down the
walls of the test tubes. Immediately shake well, and place
the tubes in a 25° water bath for 100 min. Adjust the
volume in each tube to 25 ml with concentrated sulfuric
acid and mix by inverting the tubes several times. (Do not
shake).

A violet colour develops only in the modified sample within

5 min due to the presence of hydroxypropyl groups (starch
ether).For all other non-hydroxypropyl treated starches a
light pink colour is observed.

PURITY TEST

Hydroxypropyl groups Ninhydrin reagent

A 3% solution of 1,2,3-triketohydrindene crystals in 5%
aqueous sodium bisulfite solution.

1USP29-NF34: U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, Hydroxylpropyl corn starch monograph, 2015.

Reproduced from the USP-NF with permission from The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP)

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Procedure
Accurately weigh 50 - 100 mg of the sample into a
100-ml volumetric flask and add 25 ml of 1 N sulfuric acid.
Prepare a sample of unmodified starch of the same
source (i.e. corn or potato) in the same manner. Place the
flasks in a boiling water bath and heat until the samples
are in solution. Cool and dilute the contents to 100 ml with
water. If necessary, dilute the sample further to assure the
presence of no more than 4 mg of hydroxypropyl group
per 100 ml, and then dilute the blank starch in the same
proportion. Pipet 1 ml of the solutions into 25-ml
graduated test tubes with glass stoppers and, with the
tubes immersed in cold water, add dropwise 8 ml of
concentrated sulfuric acid to each. Mix well and place the
tubes in a boiling water bath for exactly 3 min.
Immediately transfer the tubes to an ice bath until the
solution is chilled. Add 0.6 ml of ninhydrin reagent,
carefully allowing the reagent to run down the walls of the
test tubes. Immediately shake well, and place the tubes in
a 25° water bath for 100 min. Adjust the volume in each
tube to 25 ml with concentrated sulfuric acid and mix by
inverting the tubes several times. (Do not shake).
Immediately transfer portions of the solutions to 1-cm cells
and after exactly 5 min, measure the absorption (A) at 590
nm, using the starch blank as the reference. Prepare a
calibration curve with 1-ml aliquots of standard aqueous
solutions, containing 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 µg of
propylene glycol per ml.

Calculation
𝐶𝐶 × 0.7763 × 10 × 𝐹𝐹
𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 (%) =
𝑊𝑊

where
- C is the amount of propylene glycol in the sample solution
read from the calibration curve (µg/ml);
- F is the dilution factor (if a further dilution has been
necessary); and
- W is the weight of sample (mg).

Propylene Principle
chlorohydrins Propylene chlorohydrins (1-chloro-2-propanol and 2-
chloro-1-propanol) in sample are determined by
capillary gas chromatography.

Standards and Reagents

propylene chlorohydrins

Preparation of standard addition calibration curve

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Accurately weigh about 50 mg propylene chlorohydrins,

and dilute with water to 100 ml. Dilute 10 ml of this
solution to 100 ml with water to make a standard stock
solution (50 μg/ml). Take four Erlenmeyer flasks and
weigh 50.0 g of sample in each one. Add 125 ml of 1 M
sulfuric acid in each one. Add 0.5 ml, 1 ml, 2 ml, or 5 ml
of standard stock solution, to the 1st, 2nd, etc flasks
respectively. Proceed as directed for the test solution,
beginning with “and swirl the flask to disperse the
contents,” to prepare the standard solutions of added
concentration 5, 10, 20 and 50 µg/ml respectively.

Preparation of test solution

Accurately weigh 50 g of sample into an Erlenmeyer
flask, add 125 ml of 1 M sulfuric acid, and swirl the flask
to disperse the contents. Stopper loosely, heat in a
water bath at 100°for 10 min, mix the contents well, and
heat for an additional 30 min. For starches that are not
easy to hydrolyze, such as wheat starch, heating time
should be longer (90 min). Cool to room temperature,
adjust the pH to 7 with 25% sodium hydroxide solution,
and filter with suction through a glass-fiber filter paper.
Wash the flask and the residue on the filter paper with
25 ml of water, and combine the washings with the
filtrate. Add 30 g of anhydrous sodium sulfate, stir for
5–10 min to dissolve, and transfer the solution into a
separating funnel. Wash the flask with 25ml of water,
and add the washings to the funnel. If precipitate
remains, stir well with a small amount of water to
dissolve it completely, and add the solution to the
funnel. Extract five times with five 50ml portions of
diethyl ether. Combine the diethyl ether extracts, add 3
g of anhydrous sodium sulfate, let it stand for a few
minutes and filter through a filter paper. Wash the flask
and the filter paper with 25 ml of diethyl ether, and
combine the washings with the filtrate. Evaporate to 4
ml in a water bath at about 40° under atmospheric
pressure, cool, transfer to a 5 ml volumetric flask and
add diethyl ether to the exact volume.

Procedure

GC operating conditions
- GC equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID).
- Column: A fused silica column coated with polyethylene
glycol (30 m x 0.25 mm i.d., 0.25 µm) (Inert Cap WAXGL
Sciencesor equivalent）
- Carrier gas: N2 or He

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- Flow rate: Adjust the retention time of 1-chloro-2-

propanol to about 15 min
- Column temperature: 40°-for 2 min; heat at 5°/min to 80°,
keep for 8 min, heat at 25°/min to 230°, keep for 5 min
- Injector temperature: 150°
- Detector temperature: 230°
- Split-less（purge start: 1 min after injection）

Analyse 1-µl portions of the test solution and the standard

solutions by gas chromatography, using the operating
conditions given above. Prepare a standard addition curve:
Plot in the y axis the sum of the peak areas corresponding
to 1-chloro-2-propanol and 2-chloro-1-propanol in the
chromatographs and in the x-axis the added concentration
of propylene chlorohydrins in the standard solution. For the
test solution the added concentration is equal to 0. A linear
calibration curve should be obtained. Extrapolate to 0 in the
y axis. The concentration (µg/ml) of propylene
chlorohydrins in the test solution is equal to the absolute
value of the concentration at the point where the curve
intercepts the x axis (Ct). Determine the content of
propylene chlorohydrins in the sample using the following
formula:

Calculation
Content (mg/kg) of Propylene chlorohydrins = C𝑡𝑡 × 5 / W

where
- Ct: amount of propylene chlorohydrins in test solution
(µg/mL);
- W: mass of sample (g, on the dried weight basis)

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ANNEX 8: ADDITIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR STARCHES CROSSLINKED WITH ADIPIC ANHYDRIDE

(Version 2018 – Tentative)

Information is required on:

• A suitable method for identification of crosslinking and
data on at least 5 representative batches of crosslinked
and non-crosslinked starches
• Levels of free adipic acid in at least 5 representative
batches

APPLIES TO Acetylated distarch adipate (INS No. 1422)

TREATMENT Adipic anhydride can used for esterification and crosslinking. In

cases of cross-linking, where adipic anhydride connects two
chains, the structure can be represented by: Starch-O-R-O-
Starch, where R = CO-(CH2)4-CO and starch refers to the
linear and/or branched structure.

C.A.S numbers Acetylated distarch adipate

63798-35-6(Modified starch)
63055-36-7 (modified amylopectin)

CHARACTERISTICS

PURITY

Adipate groups Not more than 0.135% on the dried basis

See description under TESTS

Free adipic acid Information Required

See description under TESTS

PURITY TEST
Adipate groups and Determine by gas chromatography after derivatization
free adipic acid
Principle
Free adipic acid in the sample is extracted and determined by
capillary gas chromatography after trimethylsilyl-derivatization.
Total adipic acid is determined using the same method after

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hydrolysis of the sample and adipate groups are calculated by

subtraction of the free adipic acid from the total.

Standards and Reagents

Adipic acid (>99%)
Glutaric acid (>99%)
Starch, unmodified (of the same botanical origin as the sample)
Sodium hydroxide solution (4N): weigh 40g of NaOH, dissolve in
water and dilute to 250 ml.
Concentrated HCl (36%)
Ethyl acetate
Sodium sulphate, anhydrous
N,O-Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide
Pyridine

Internal standard solution (1 mg/ml)

Accurately weigh 0.1 g of glutaric acid, dissolve in water and dilute
to 100 ml.

Standard stock solution (1 mg/ml)

Accurately weigh 0.1 g of adipic acid, dissolve in 90 ml of warm
water, cool to room temperature, dilute to 100 ml and mix.

Working standard solutions (0.02, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/ml)

Pipette 1, 5, 10, and 20 ml of the standard stock solution in four
separate 50 ml volumetric flasks, and dilute with water.

Procedure
Preparation standard curve solutions
Weigh 1.0 g of starch into each of four Erlenmeyer flasks, add 50
ml of water and 1 ml of internal standard solution. Add 5 ml each
of the four working standard solutions, respectively. Stopper the
flask and shake them well to disperse the starch, add 50 ml of 4N
sodium hydroxide solution, and shake for 5 min. Place the flasks
in a water bath, at room temperature, and add cautiously 20 ml of
conc. hydrochloric acid. Cool, and quantitatively separately
transfer the contents of the flasks into four separation funnels with
a little amount of water. Extract three times with 100 ml of ethyl
acetate each time. Collect the ethyl acetate layers separately in
four dry Erlenmeyer flasks, add 20 g of anhydrous sodium
sulphate, allow to stand for 10 min with occasional shaking, and
filter into a rotary evaporator flask. Wash the Erlenmeyer flask
and the residue on the filter paper twice with a small quantity of
ethyl acetate, and combine the washings with the filtrate.
Evaporate the ethyl acetate under a reduced pressure of 6.7 kPa
at a temperature below 40°. Remove the remaining ethyl
acetate completely by nitrogen stream. The evaporation of ethyl
acetate should be effected as quickly as possible. Successively
add 2 ml of pyridine and 1 ml of N,O-
bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide to the residue and stopper the

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flask. Allow the solution to stand for 1 hour, transfer 2 ml of it into

a GC vial, and immediately stopper tightly. Use these solutions to
construct standard curve (Internal standard 1 mg/g starch,
standards 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/g starch respectively)

Preparation of test solution A (for residual free adipic acid)

Weigh accurately about 5 g of sample into an Erlenmeyer flask,
add 100 ml of water and 1 ml of the internal standard solution.
Shake well for 1 hour, and filter through a 0.45 µm membrane
filter. To the filtrate, add exactly 1 ml of hydrochloric acid (in the
case of pre-gelatinized starch or water-soluble starch, directly add
1 ml of hydrochloric acid to the resulting suspension without
filtering), and transfer into a separation funnel. Proceed as
directed for the preparation of standard solutions, beginning with
“…and wash the inside of the flask with a little amount of water
into the funnel.” Use this solution for the determination of residual
free adipic acid (Internal standard 1 mg/ 5 g starch).

Preparation of test solution B (for total adipic acid)

Weigh accurately about 1 g of sample into an Erlenmeyer flask,
add 50 ml of water and exactly 1 ml of the internal standard
solution. Shake the mixture well to disperse the starch, add 50 ml
of 4N sodium hydroxide solution and shake well for 5 minutes.
Place the flask in a water bath at room temperature, and add
cautiously 20 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid. After cooling,
transfer the contents in the flask into a separation funnel. Proceed
as directed for the preparation of standard solution, beginning
with “…and wash the inside of the flask with a little amount of
water into the funnel.” Use this solution for the determination of
total adipic acid (Internal standard 1 mg/g starch).

Procedure
GC operating conditions
• GC equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID)
Column:A fused silica column coated with a mixture of
50% diphenyl and 50% dimethylpolysiloxane (15 m x
0.25 mm i.d., 0.25 µm)
• Carrier gas: He
• Column flow 1.0 ml/min.
• Column temperature: 120°-5 min-5°/min-150° (Glutaric
and adipic acids elute at about 5 min and 8 min
respectively)
• Injector temperature: 250°
• Detector temperature: 250°
• Injection volume 1µl
• Split ratio: 30:1

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Inject standard curve solutions into the capillary GC under the

conditions indicated and construct a standard curve using the
peak area ratios of adipic acid and glutaric acid against the
amounts of adipic acid in the standard solutions (in g). Inject the
test solution A and Band obtain the peak area ratio of adipic acid
to glutaric acid for each of the test solutions A and B.

Determine the amount of adipic acid in each test solution from the
standard curve and calculate the percent of adipate groups using
the following formula:

Free adipic acid, %w/w = [CF/MF] x 100

Adipate groups. %w/w = [CT/MT–CF/MF] x 100

where
CT = amount of the total adipic acid in the test solution B
(g)
CF = amount of the free adipic acid in the test solution A
(g)
MT =mass of sample in the test solution for the
determination of total adipic acid (g, on the dried
weight basis)
MF =mass of the sample in the test solution for the
determination of free adipic acid (g, on the dried
weight basis)

© FAO/WHO 2018