The synthesis of modified hydrophobic starch nanoparticles using long chain fatty acids was accomplished. Grafting of fatty acid on the starch was done using potassium persulphate as catalyst and the formation of graft polymer was confirmed by FTIR spectra. The thermal properties of the native and grafted starch were investigated using simultaneous TG-DTA and DSC. The graft polymerization was found to be depending on the temperature and the duration of the reaction. The modified starch nanoparticles were cross-linked with sodium tripoly phosphate for better stabilization. Morphology of the grafted starch nanoparticles was studied by SEM and AFM. Drug-loading and the controlled release of the drug from the nanoparticles was studied using indomethacin as model drug.

Njavara rice starch was studied for its morphological, physicochemical, and thermal properties and was found to be different from the native chamba variety of rice. Njavara rice starch has bigger granule and has a high (85 degrees C) gelatinization temperature and shows high thermal stability. The swelling power, solubility, water absorption capacity, and enthalpy of gelatinization were found to be high compared to the native rice starch. The 6% (w/v) njavara rice starch gel had 87.45% clarity and its pasting properties such as peak viscosity (957 cP), break down viscosity (324 cP), and set back values (421 cP) were also higher. It also had better freeze thaw stability, gel strength, and high springiness against shear stress. Other properties like hardness, gumminess, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, and chewiness of the gel are slightly higher than native rice starch. These inherent high thermal and pasting properties make njavara rice suitable as poultice for the body massage in the panchakarma treatment.

No abstract