“…Previous studies have shown that the microstructure of starch hydrogels can be appreciably altered by the addition of indigestible polysaccharides such as guar gum, xanthan gum, and cellulose derivatives (Gladkowska-Balewicz, Norton, & Hamilton, 2014;Ptaszek et al, 2009;Techawipharat, Suphantharika, & BeMiller, 2008). Other studies have shown that interactions between starch and indigestible polysaccharides may appreciably alter the functional properties of starch hydrogels, such as their appearance, rheology, and stability (Baranowska, Sikora, Krystyjan, & Tomasik, 2011;Krystyjan, Adamczyk, Sikora, & Tomasik, 2013;Samutsri & Suphantharika, 2012;Sikoral, Tomasik, & Krystyjan, 2010). We therefore hypothesized that the addition of methylcellulose to filled starch hydrogels would alter their microstructure, rheology, and gastrointestinal fate, which could alter the bioaccessibility of any encapsulated nutraceuticals.…”