SEM,laser scattering,differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),X-ray diffractometry(XRD) were applied to determine the properties of corn starch acetate pretreated by pulsed electric fields.Comparison with untreated by pulsed electric fields was studied.The results showed that corn starch with pretreated was easier to add acetyl than untreated ones.The mean volume diameter and the specific surface area(SSA) of corn starch acetate increased with pulsed electric treatment.The X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the crystalline region of treated sample was damaged and the relative crystallinity was decreased.Gelatinization temperatures,peak temperatures and enthalpy of corn starch acetate treated by pulsed electric fields were all decreased.