Work

Modified Tuber Starches as Sustainable Biopolymers for the Encapsulating Bioactive Compounds: A Comprehensive Review

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Modified tuber starches have gained relevance as innovative and versatile materials for the encapsulation of bioactive compounds, distinguishing themselves from synthetic polymers due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tunable functionality. This review analyzes the effects of physical, chemical, and biochemical modifications on the composition and morphological, rheological, thermal, and techno-functional properties of tuber starches, as well as their development prospects as coating materials in encapsulation techniques such as spray drying, freeze-drying, electrospinning, and emulsification. The evidence reviewed indicates that modified tuber starches exhibit reduced retrogradation, higher thermal resistance, improved solubility, and better digestibility, facilitating their application as protective agents. The main challenges for their industrial implementation are identified and analyzed, including the standardization of processes, scalability, and the ambiguous regulatory framework. In the future, research in this area should be directed toward the optimization of "clean-label" methodologies and the valorization of non-conventional tuber sources, thereby consolidating the development of safer, more effective, and more sustainable encapsulation systems for the food industry.

Source: Polymers

DOI: 10.3390/polym17243257

Authors: César Samaniego-Rafaele, Rebeca Salvador-Reyes, Grimaldo Quispe-Santivañez, Maritza Barriga-Sánchez

Institutions: Universidad Nacional del Santa, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Universidad Nacional Autónoma Altoandina de Tarma, Instituto Tecnológico de la Producción

Language: English

Topic: Microencapsulation and Drying Processes

Subfield: Food Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258