STARCH PRODUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL USE

This review of starch is concerned with its industrial uses, origins a nd structure. The current demand for starch is met by a restricted ran ge of crops, the most important of which are potatoes, maize, wheat an d tapioca. Improvements in the properties of starches for industrial u ses can be achieved through chemical and physical modification of extr acted starch and through the manipulation of starch biosynthesis in th e plant itself. We examine starch structure and composition in relatio n to its use and exploitation by industry. The current understanding o f physiological and biochemical mechanisms influencing starch formatio n in higher plants is described. This information is set in the contex t of the need to know the physical/chemical specification for each ind ividual starch and to understand the genetic control of these characte ristics in order to identify target genes for manipulation. (C) 1998 S CI.