Synthesis and characterization of controlled-size starch nanoparticles modified with Short Chain Fatty Acids

The feasibility of producing controlled-size Starch Nanoparticles (SNPs) modified with Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA) have been demonstrated. Acetylated, propionylated and butyrylated quinoa and rice starches at different degrees of modification have been used for the synthesis by the nanoprecipitation method. Different analytical techniques were used to characterize the SNPs in terms of size, morphology, charge, monodispersity and crystallinity. Spherical SCFA-SNPs were obtained with sizes varying from 96 nm to 170 nm. Larger variations in size were observed for SNPs prepared with the different SCFA quinoa starches than with rice. FTIR spectra were similar both for the starch granules and the SNPs what demonstrated that the SNPs remained modified with the SCFA after the synthesis. The produced SCFA-SNPs could have the potential to find multiple applications, regarding SCFA health beneficts, either as nanocarriers for the controlled release of biocompounds, or as additives or stabilisers in food-grade nutraceutical formulations.