V-amylose Structural Characteristics, Methods of Preparation, Significance, and Potential Applications

Abstract

The amylose component of starch can form complexes known as V-amylose with amphiphilic or hydrophobic ligands. The V-amylose complexes are single, left-handed helices that are arranged as crystalline and amorphous lamellae, which may form distinct nano- or micron-scale structures. V-amylose has potential as a biomaterial for nanoencapsulation of sensitive bioactive and flavor ingredients, modification of rheological behavior of starch-containing products, reduction of starch retrogradation, and postprandial hyperglycaemia in diabetics. Various aspects of V-amylose structure, methods of preparation, factors that affect its formation, and the significance and potential applications of the V-amylose complexes are reviewed.

Keywords:

• Nanoencapsulation
• Starch digestibility
• Starch nanoparticles
• Starch rheology
• Starch spherulites
• V-amylose complexes

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the University of Pretoria Commonwealth Scholarship Programme, DST/CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, and National Research Fund (NRF) for the support of this study.