Starch Nanocrystals

Starch nanocrystals (SNCs) refer to platelet particles that are insoluble and possess multifunctional properties. These nano-sized materials are primarily produced through “top-down” approach involving the acid hydrolysis-induced breakdown of semi-crystalline starch granules. The SNCs isolation process results in crystalline material with low yield. Starches pretreatments and SNCs post-treatments are some strategies that aim to improve the processing and SNCs properties. SNCs applications also still need investigation. The fast, high-yield processing that results in crystallinity nanosized structures continuously challenges to improve their uses and turns the SNCs into a commercial input for food and non-food applications. In this chapter, elucidations are done about SNCs developing approaches to isolation, pre- and post-treatment effects, their main properties, and advanced uses.