Resistant starch and its nanoparticles: Recent advances in their green synthesis and application as functional food ingredients and bioactive delivery systems

Background: Starch is an important source of dietary carbohydrates in the typical human diet, but the rapid digestion of starch promotes a rapid rise in blood sugar levels, which are looked upon negatively. Increased consumption of starchy foods with a low glycemic index is believed to give high contributions to health. Resistant starch (RS) is not digested in the mouth, stomach, or small intestine but is fermented by microbial flora in the colon, which generates short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that have potential health benefits. Furthermore, their RS nanoparticles as a novel type of functional dietary fibre exhibit potential for the development of health promoting foods. Scope and approach: In this review, we highlight recent advances in the green synthesis and applications of RS and its nanoparticles, with an emphasis on their potential effects of these substances on the human GIT and health, including their ability to inhibit amylase, delay gastric emptying, exhibit prebiotic effects, and act as colon specific delivery systems. Key findings and conclusions: RS and its nanoparticles resist digestion in the upper intestine but not in the colon, they are proven to exert prebiotic effects in human body. Furthermore, RS nanoparticles have a number of attributes that are beneficial for their application as functional ingredients in foods, including good water dispersibility, small size, high biocompatibility. Moreover, RS nanoparticles can resistant to hydrolysis by digestible enzymes in the upper GIT (like amylase). As a result, RS nanoparticles can be utilized as prebiotics or as colon specific delivery systems for bioactive agents.

Automated summary

This review highlights the recent advances in the green synthesis and applications of resistant starch (RS) and its nanoparticles. The potential effects of RS and its nanoparticles on the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and health are discussed, including their ability to inhibit amylase, delay gastric emptying, exhibit prebiotic effects, and act as colon specific delivery systems for bioactive agents.