Cationic Starch

Cationic starch is produced by treating the slurry of partially swollen granules of starch with a reactive compound. This reagent contains quaternary nitrogen, yielding a positive charge that is independent of PH. The reagent usually attaches to the starch at the C6 position, the most accessible of the –OH groups. the typical level of  derivatization is one to two charged groups per hundred glucose units. Because the reaction is usually carried out in slurry, it is expected that the distribution of charged groups will be highly non- uniform. Cationic Starch finds  extensive use in the paper industry and its key functions are as a Dry strength additive, Emulsification of sizing efficiency at lower alum level, which ultimately helps to reduce linting problem of paper.