A process designed for the continuous production of starch inclusion complexes on an industrial scale

• A method for the continuous production of starch inclusion complexes was described.
• The processing conditions employed were suitable for thermally sensitive guest molecules.
• XRD analysis showed the complexes were effectively formed at the processing conditions used.

A process was designed for the continuous production of starch inclusion complexes using pregelatinized, in a drum drier, maize starch and fatty acids as raw materials. The complexes were formed in a twin screw cooker extruder operated at 80 or 100 °C and screw speeds of 80, 100, 145 or 204 rpm. The physicochemical characteristics of the extrudates were studied and the structural modifications taken place in the starch matrix, during extrusion, were investigated using XRD analysis. The results indicated that the process is quite effective for the production of starch inclusion complexes and could be ideal for the protection of sensitive and unstable bioactive compounds as well as of nutraceuticals against adverse environmental conditions and for their controlled release in the human gastrointestinal tract.

Flow diagram of a processing line for the continuous production of starch–fatty acid inclusion complexes.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (112 K)Download as PowerPoint slide