Starch Derivatives: An overview of the multifaceted industrial applications

 

Chemical Modifications of Starch

Starch is chemically modified through various processes to enhance or introduce new properties for industrial applications. Common chemical modifications include oxidation, esterification and etherification. Oxidized starch is produced by treating starch with hypochlorite or peroxide under controlled conditions. This increases the hydrophilicity and viscosity of starch. Esterified starch is made by esterifying starch with organic acids or anhydrides. This process increases the thermal properties and shelf life of starch. Etherified starch involves treating starch with alkyl halides which increases its solubility in cold water and organic solvents while also reducing viscosity.

Uses of Modified Starches

Modified starches have replaced native starches in many applications due to their superior functional properties. Starch Derivatives  Esterified starches find widespread use as stabilizers and thickeners in the food industry. They are used to manufacture processed foods, desserts, soups and sauces. Oxidized starch is used as a stabilizer in canned foods, baked products and frozen foods. It helps maintain texture, prevent separation and reduces oil absorption. Etherified starch is utilized as a tablet binder and disintegrant in pharmaceuticals. It also serves as a viscosity increasing agent and stabillizer in cosmetics and personal care products.

In non-food industries, modified starches are employed as binders, thickeners and coatings. Cationic starch is employed in paper manufacturing as a dry and wet end adhesive. It improves paper strength, surface sizing and runnability. Carboxymethyl starch is utilized in the textile industry as a finishing agent and in ceramic industries as a binder. Hydroxyethyl starch finds use in mining and drilling industries as a viscosity modifier for bentonite clay suspension. Alkylated starches are used in the oil drilling industry as bore-hole stabilizers.

Applications of Starch Derivatives

Despite the advantages of modified starches, native starches continue to be preferred for certain applications owing to factors like cost and stability. Corn starch and potato starch are commonly used as thickening and binding agents in food products. They are widely used in soups, sauces, puddings, meat products, baked goods and snacks. Native starches also act as stabilizers to prevent food items from crystallizing or settling. Tapioca starch extracted from cassava roots adds texture to bakery products like buns and bread. Wheat starch and rice starches find applications as binders in solid oral dosage forms. Maize and potato starches are employed in coating tablets to improve appearance and flow ability.

Cornstarch provides the desirable texture to commonly consumed western cuisines like gravy. It is also used as an anti-caking agent in powdered foods. Wheat starch is used to modify viscosity in products like ice creams. Cassava starch serves as a thickening agent and stabilizer in commercial soups. Arrowroot starch extracted from arrowroot plants acts as a thickener for glazes and sauces. Sago starch obtained from sago palms is used in syrups, confectionery and desserts preparation. Potato starch is added as a texture modifier and thickener in commercial sauces and processed cheeses.

Prospects

The global starch market was valued at over $70 billion in 2020 and is projected to exhibit steady growth over the next decade. Developing regions like Asia Pacific and Latin America will drive much of the incremental gains led by increased consumption of foods and Personal care products. Growth opportunities lie in developing specialized native and modified starches for niche industrial applications in areas like bioplastics, pharmaceutical binders, oil drilling and eco-friendly textiles. Production of high purity starches using advanced extraction techniques will also spur demand. With novel applications emerging across diverse end use sectors, starch derivatives are poised to retain their relevance as versatile industrial raw materials in the chemical industry.

Get more insights on This Topic- Starch Derivatives