Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy: Towards Structural Insights into Starch-Based Materials in the Food Industry

Abstract

Solid-state NMR is a nondestructive and noninvasive technique used to study the chemical structure and dynamics of starch-based materials and to bridge the gap between structure–function relationships and industrial applications. The study of crystallinity, chemical modification, product blending, molecular packing, amylose–amylopectin ratio, end chain motion, and solvent–matrix interactions is essential for tailoring starch product properties to various applications. This article aims to provide a comprehensive and critical review of research characterizing starch-based materials using solid-state NMR, and to briefly introduce the most advanced and promising NMR strategies and hardware designs used to overcome the sensitivity and resolution issues involved in structure–function relationships.

Keywords

• solid-state NMR spectroscopy
• starch
• food science
• sustainable polymers
• solvent–matrix interactions
• sensitivity boosting