Abstract: | Native and acid‐hydrolyzed wx corn starches were modified by octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) in aqueous slurry systems. The characteristics of the modified wx corn starches and their effects on chicken meat sausages were evaluated by means of FT‐IR, rapid visco analyser, SEM, and texture profile analysis. FT‐IR spectroscopy indicated that the ester carbonyl groups in the OSA modified native and acid‐hydrolyzed starches were characterized at 1725 cm−1. The process of OSA modification could achieve starch derivatives, which had higher viscosities, better paste clarity and freeze–thaw stability than the native counterparts. Texture results showed that the hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, and chewiness of the sausage increased as OSA‐H0 was added (p < 0.05). SEM revealed that the sausages with native wx corn starch had larger and uneven pores, while it was comparatively compact for the sausages with OSA starches. The OSA modified wx corn starch offered a great potential to be used in meat products to enhance textural quality. |