The Effects of Environmental Conditions on the Structural Features and Physico-chemical Properties of Starches

Abstract

The effects of environmental factors on the structural features and physico-chemical properties of starch (from various botanical sources) have been investigated over many decades. A close study of published data on the effects of environmental factors, especially growth temperature, reveals discrepancies with regard to its effects on the composition and properties of the major components of starch, namely amylose and amylopectin. These discrepancies can in part be explained on the basis of the different experimental protocols used by the various investigators to provide environmental variation although it is clear that environmental factors do influence the deposition and composition of starch granules. However, the effects of environmental conditions on the physical properties of starches are more easily reproduced and are consequently better understood. This review is an up to date survey of current knowledge in this area and draws extensively on the authors' own research.