Following a period of declining food use, oats are now increasing in i
mportance because of perceived nutritional benefits. The pasting prope
rties of oat starch were regarded as similar to those of other cereal
starches until the development of instruments with a more rapid mixing
system than the amylograph showed characteristic differences in oats.
These differences in pasting properties offer opportunities for novel
products in both food and industrial areas. The structure, compositio
n, and pasting properties of oat starch we reviewed, with particular e
mphasis on methods of measurement. Future directions of research in th
is area are suggested.