About Starch

Starch is an organic compound that is found extensively in plants. It known for its ability to lend its rigid structure to other materials it comes in contact with, like foods, commercial products and fabric.

Identification

The chemical formula for starch is C(6)H(12)O(6). It is a polysaccharide carbohydrate that is found naturally in plants as the material that keeps stems and roots rigid. There is also an especially high amount of starch in plant seeds. Starch molecules, called grains, are generally crystal in shape though the specifics vary depending on the particular plant the starch was harvested from.

Types

The term "starch" comes from the Middle English word "sterchen," which means to stiffen. When isolated, starch forms a white powder that lacks odor and taste. Starch that is used by humans comes from a handful of plants, including arrowroot, potato, sago, corn and tapioca.

Significance

In food form, starch is an important part of the human diet and has is considered part of the grains classification on the food pyramid. Food starch is naturally found in items like potatoes, yams, chestnuts, bananas, barley and many types of beans and is commonly added in powder to sauces to thicken them. Starch is also added to gelatins, puddings, salad dressings, soups, gravies and pie fillings to give them a gelatin-like thickness. High fructose corn syrup is also a derivative of starch.

Benefits

As a non-food substance, starch is a very versatile compound and is used by humans for a variety of purposes. One of the most common uses of starch is as a clothing stiffener, also referred to as a laundry starch. The vegetable starch is combined with water and then applied to the collars and cuffs of shirts before ironing. The water helps the starch compound sink into the fibers of the fabric, and the heat of the iron makes the compound's structure become rigid. The result is a stiff edge that holds its shape. Clothing starch also helps material resist dirt and sweat staining. Starching collars and cuffs has been widely used in fashion since the seventeenth century.

Considerations

Starch is also used commercially in the process of paper making, glue making and mold making. It is an integral part of the structure of paper, and makes up to eight percent of every piece of white printer paper. Many household and industrial glues are also made significantly of starch, for it gives them strength and substance. Starch contributes to the manufacturing of sweet gummy products by creating a mold shape that will naturally retain its shape without sticking to the food product.