Pregelatinised starch is a type of starch that has been cooked and then dried. This gelatinisation process makes the starch soluble in cold water, which makes it very useful in a number of applications. Pregelatinised starch can be derived from any starch source, including cereals such as maize, rice and wheat, as well as tubers such as potatoes and tapioca.

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

• Pre- this prefix indicates that the starch has been pre-treated or pre-processed in some way.
• Gelatinised refers to the process of gelatinisation, in which starch granules are cooked with water to disrupt their structure and make them swell.
• Starch is the basic material that is processed. Starch is a complex carbohydrate found in many plants.

The synthesis process takes place in different steps:

• Gelatinisation: raw starch, derived from sources such as maize, wheat, potatoes or rice, is cooked with water. This process disrupts the granular structure of the starch and causes the granules to swell and absorb water, forming a viscous solution. This is the process of gelatinisation.
• Drying: the gelatinised starch is then dried, usually using a drum or spray dryer. This process removes water and leaves a dry, powdery product.
• Grinding: the dried starch can be ground to the desired particle size.

 It appears in the form of a white powder. 

What it is used for and where it is used

Food

Used as a thickener, binder, and filler in various food products such as soups, sauces, and baked goods.

• Baked Goods: Enhances texture and moisture retention, reducing bread staling.
• Soups and Sauces: Acts as a thickener, providing a smooth, consistent texture.
• Ready-to-Eat Cereals: Increases solubility and speeds up rehydration time.

Medical

In the pharmaceutical industry, it is often used as an excipient, an inactive ingredient used to help deliver the active drug into the body.

Binder. Pregelatinized starch is a commonly used binder in pharmaceuticals. It helps hold the ingredients in a pill together, maintaining the pill's shape, and ensuring it doesn't break apart before reaching the patient's stomach.

Disintegrant. Pregelatinized starch is also used as a disintegrant in tablets. When the tablet is ingested, the pregelatinized starch absorbs water, swells, and helps break the tablet apart so that the active drug is released.

Filler or Diluent. In pharmaceutical formulations, pregelatinized starch can be used as a filler or diluent in capsules and tablets. It helps increase the size of the tablet or capsule, making them easier to handle and swallow.

Coating. Pregelatinized starch can be used to create a smooth, aesthetically pleasing coating on tablets, and to mask unpleasant tastes.

Sustained-Release Formulations. Pregelatinized starch can be used in the preparation of sustained-release tablets due to its film-forming properties. It can control the release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient over time, allowing for less frequent dosing and potentially better patient compliance.

Direct Compression. Pregelatinized starch is beneficial for direct compression tableting, a popular method for tablet manufacturing due to its cost-effectiveness and simplicity. It exhibits good flow properties and compressibility, which are key characteristics for direct compression.

Solubility Enhancement. Pregelatinized starch can increase the solubility of some poorly soluble drugs, improving their bioavailability.

• Tablets: Increases cohesion during compression, enhancing tablet robustness.
• Capsules: Acts as a filler and disintegrant, aiding in capsule breakdown and drug release.

Other applications

Paper Industry:

• Paper Pulp: Enhances filler and fiber retention, optimizing print quality.
• Coated Paper: Acts as a binder in the adhesive used for coatings.

Textile Industry:

• Printing Pastes: Enhances viscosity, ensuring uniform printing.
• Finishing: Increases weight, denseness, and provides a smooth finish to fabrics.

Personal Care Products:

• Shampoo: Aids in stabilization and viscosity enhancement, improving application feel.
• Lotions: Provides a rich, creamy consistency, enhancing appearance and feel on the skin.

It contains gluten.

Pregelatinised starch, studies

Molecular formula The molecular formula of a polysaccharide such as starch can vary depending on the length of the sugar chain and the degree of branching. However, the basic molecular formula for the glucose unit in starch is C₆H₁₀O₅.

• Linear Formula: (C₆H₁₀O₅)n
• Molecular Weight: 342.297 g/mol
• CAS: 9005-25-8   9050-36-6   9005-84-9  69-79-4    4482-75-1   133-99-3
• EC Number: 232-686-4   200-716-5   232-679-6
• MDL number: MFCD00082026
• PubChem Substance ID: 24899585

Synonyms:

• alpha-Maltose
• Maltose
• D-(+)-Maltose
• alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1->4)-alpha-D-glucopyranose
• Amylodextrins
• (2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[(2R,3S,4R,5R,6S)-4,5,6-trihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxyoxane-3,4,5-triol