ABSTRACT
References ............................................................................................................323
Nonnutritional applications of saccharides are discussed in Chapter 3. Polysaccharides have attracted attention for their availability, versatility, and renewability. Among other functions, they are considered as a source of energy. Applications of chitin and chitosan deal mainly with nonnutritive area (see Chapter 14); any other polysaccharides, particularly when blended with other polysaccharides or saccharides, exhibit interesting rheological properties, making them suitable as potential adhesives. This area of polysaccharide chemistry is now intensively studied in many laboratories worldwide. It should be noted that dextrins and flours have also been
commonly used for centuries as adhesives and glues. Beyond the food industry, dextrins are commonly used as adhesives, fillers, and binders; in textiles; and in paper sizing. Recently, dextrins have been used as blends with synthetic polymers.1
A series of papers was published on the application of dextrins and maltodextrins as binders in ceramics based on micrometric metal oxide powders.2 Clay ceramics use granular starch as an additive for manufacture of porous ceramic materials. Starch granules suspended in ceramic cake and then burnt out on sintering provide the required size of pores.
