Preparation, characterization, physicochemical property and potential application of porous starch: A review

In recent years, porous starch has attracted increasing attention due to its valuable functions and potential applications. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the recent advances of porous starch in different aspects, including the preparation and structural characterization methods, physicochemical properties, and potential applications. In general, different techniques including physical, chemical and enzymatic as well as their synergic methods have been extensively used to prepare porous starch. The prepared porous starch can be characterized by several instrumental methods including pore structure analyzer, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometer, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance. As compared to native starch, porous starch shows enhanced adsorption efficiency, solubility and swelling power. Moreover, porous starch can be used to adsorb, encapsulate and release different substances. This review will provide a guideline for the rational preparation and applications of porous starch in the future.