Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Bioproducts Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #273413
Title: Starch as a feedstock for bioproducts and packaging

Author
item Glenn, Gregory - Greg
item IMAM, SYED
item Orts, William
item HOLTMAN, KEVIN

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/22/2011
Publication Date: 1/16/2012
Citation: Glenn, G.M., Imam, S.H., Orts, W.J., Holtman, K.M. 2012. Starch as a feedstock for bioproducts and packaging. Book Chapter. p. 255-269.

Interpretive Summary: Petroleum-based products continue to increase in use throughout the world creating an unsustainable industry and negatively impacting the environment. Starch is an abundant, inexpensive feedstock for both food and industrial products. Scientists at the Western Regional Research Center in Albany, CA have reviewed some of current uses of starch as a feedstock and new products that will help reduce dependence on petroleum-based products. This review will provide scientists in academia and industry valuable information in starch utilization and provide insights into future areas of research.

Technical Abstract: Much progress has been achieved in developing starch-based feedstocks as a partial replacement for petroleum-based feedstocks. Although starch remains a poor direct substitute for plastics, composite starch-based materials have useful functional properties and are in commercial production as a replacement for single-use plastic food service containers. In recent years, starch has developed an even greater role as a fermentation feedstock. Ethanol and polylactic acid are the two most important starch fermentation products developed for replacing petroleum fuel and plastics. Further growth of starch-based fermentation products is likely as new fermentation processes and products are identified and commercially developed. The utilization of other agricultural fermentation feedstocks such as plant biomass will be important to meet ever growing demands for fuels and products and help prevent diverting too much starch or other food resources into industrial products and will also help reduce overdependence on petroleum feedstocks.