Enhancing Starch Functionality: Advances in Physicochemical Properties and Modification Techniques

Starch is a critical biopolymer with extensive applications in the food, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing sectors due to its biocompatibility and renewability. Despite its widespread use, native starch often requires enhancements to meet specific industrial demands. The evolving dynamics in starch modification rest primarily on improving its physicochemical properties through chemical and physical methods. Recent advancements highlight the efficacy of various modification strategies, yet there remains a significant interest in uncovering novel, sustainable techniques that optimize starch's functional properties. These modifications are fundamental in adapting starch for enhanced performance across different matrices, yet the quest for innovative, sustainable solutions continues to be a crucial research area.

This Research Topic aims to deepen our understanding of how different starch modification techniques influence its physicochemical attributes. We encourage contributions that demonstrate enhanced applications of modified starch in various sectors, addressing contemporary challenges in functionality, stability, and compatibility.

To effectively tailor starch for diverse applications, this Research Topic delves into a range of modification strategies, from chemical manipulations and enzyme treatments to the adoption of novel plasticizers. Authors are invited to contribute original research articles, reviews, and short communications that explore themes including but not limited to:

- Effects of chemical additives on starch characteristics

- Mechanisms and effectiveness of physical modification methods

- Advanced technologies such as ozone and cold plasma for starch modification

- Analysis of modified starch in food applications

- Comparative studies on novel and conventional modification techniques.

By mapping the landscape of starch modification, this Research Topic aims to propel the understanding and application of enhanced functional properties of starch in various sectors.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Starch, Physicochemical Properties, Modification Techniques, Glycerol, D-mannitol, Nitrogen Efficiency, Oxidation, Pasting Properties

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.