The optimum reaction conditions for the derivation of acetylated (esterified) starch using response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) were studied. All the independent variables (starch solids, acetic anhydride concentration, and reaction time) were of significant (p < .05) importance in achieving esterified starch of Amaranthus viridis. Optimum conditions of 152.46 g of starch, 11 ml of acetic anhydride and time of 2.92 min with corresponding acetyl content and degree of substitution (DS) of 1.74% and 0.06, respectively, were established for ANN. The RSM gave optimum conditions of 149.57 g (starch), 10.38 ml (acetic anhydride) and 3 min (time) with corresponding acetyl content and DS of 1.61% and 0.06, respectively. The order of priority of the process variables was established as acetic anhydride (42.59%), starch solids (33.90%), and reaction time (23.51%). The results provided useful information on development of economic and efficient acetylation process for modification of A. viridis starch.
Keywords: Amaranthus viridis; acetic anhydride; acetylated starch; artificial neural network; response surface methodology.