Continuous dual feed homogenization for the production of starch inclusion complexes for controlled release of nutrients

The use of food grade biopolymers, such as starch, has been suggested as a technological solution for the controlled delivery of health promoting ingredients. This staple food carbohydrate may form molecular inclusion complexes, termed V-amylose, with numerous ligands. This study aimed to develop and assess a continuous production process for the formation of such complexes using three starches varying in the amylose:amylopectin ratio. The heart of the technique is the use of dual feed homogenizer for in situ complexation in accord with homogenization, to form micron and sub micron particles. Results show that pre-dissolving high amylose corn starch or corn starch in a hot alkali solution leads to the formation of a bi-modal population of 0.04–20 μm or a mixed population of 0.04–3 μm V-type particles, respectively. These stearic acid-loaded particles exhibit V-type X-ray diffraction and release the stearic acid mainly upon pancreatic amylases treatment. This technology could prospectively be used in numerous applications including as a delivery system for the controlled delivery of bioactives.Industrial relevanceIntroduction of nutraceuticals and bioactive nutrients into foods is a major technological challenge since many of these compounds have low chemical stability during product processing, storage and consumption. One of the industrial approaches to overcome this drawback is the use of encapsulation technologies, mainly with cheap, common and safe food ingredients. This study describes a unique continuous process to exploit starches’ natural and spontaneous tendency to form single helical molecular inclusion complexes, termed V-amylose, as a possible platform for nano and micro-encapsulation. This process involves coupling pH titration, which induces complexation, to a pressurized homogenization which induces rapid complexation and particle size reduction. Thus, it is suggested to help overcome the main drawbacks of current batch processing, i.e. large particle size, particle aggregation and prolonged duration of production. Additionally, the continuity of the process offers the technological possibility of incorporating the process in existing industrial settings of continuous manufacturing. These molecular inclusion complexes could prospectively be used in a wide variety of applications in the food, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries including as a delivery system for the controlled and targeted delivery of nutrients, nutraceuticals and/or drugs to the lower gastrointestinal tract.