Physicochemical properties, molecular structure, and uses of sweetpotato starch

• Novel properties and structures discovered.
• Starch internal structure–properties relations explored.
• How sweetpotato starch could be better utilized is suggested.

Interests in sweetpotato production and utilization are surging in recent years. The major carbohydrate of sweetpotato root is starch which accounts up to around 80% of the dry matter, with a large and cheap potential supply. This review summarizes the recent advances in physicochemical properties, structure, modifications, and uses of sweetpotato starches, and provides suggestions for further research to improve the utilization.