Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus) Tuber: A Sustainable Resource for Industrial Starch: A Review

Abstract

Tiger nut starch, a unique C-type starch extracted from tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus), exhibits promising functionalities for various industrial applications. This review explores the sources of starch, highlighting tiger nut starch's characteristics and extraction methods. The paper then discusses starch modification techniques, including chemical, physical, enzymatic, and genetic methods, along with their advantages and limitations for tiger nut starch. Finally, the review explores the potential applications of tiger nut starch in the food, pharmaceutical, and other industries. The review led to the observation that (i) Tiger nut starch as a C-type starch with distinct properties compared to other starches (ii) Various extraction methods for tiger nut starch, including alkaline, water, and enzymatic techniques (iii) Modification methods to enhance the functionality of tiger nut starch for diverse applications (iv) Potential applications of tiger nut starch in food products, pharmaceuticals, and other industries.