Chemical modification of inulin, a valuable renewable resource, and its industrial applications

Inulin, the polydisperse reserve polyfructose from plants such as Cichorium intybus (chicory), has been chemically modified in several ways to obtain industrially important biodegradable compounds. This review provides an ins ight on the different types of modification (neutral, anionic, and cationic modification as well as cross-linking and slow release applications) and d escribes its differences from starch and cellulose chemistry. It also highl ights the applications of various compounds cited in the literature.