Crystalline starch based nanoparticles

Starch is an abundant, natural, renewable, and biodegradable polymer produced by many plants as a source of stored energy. Because of the multiscale structure of starch granules consisting of alternating crystalline and amorphous concentric layers, the controlled acid hydrolysis treatment of starch disrupts this organization and releases crystalline platelet-like particles with nanoscale dimensions. This paper intends to provide a comprehensive overview of their preparation, characterization, properties, and applications. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.