Tapioca
All rights reserved.
 |  |  |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Tapioca (Cassava or Manioc) is a root or tuber extract. The plant is a perennial
that grows eight to twelve feet high. Its roots are a food source in native
growing areas, it can be as much as three feet long and five to ten inches in
diameter. Its roots can be boiled, fried or made into flour. [1]
Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch is found in the cells of the tubers. The unmodified starch is
called native tapioca starch or native tapioca flour. While totally natural,
native tapioca often does not lend itself to processed foods which will be
frozen, heated, microwaved or baked. [1]
Multikem corporation, the supplier of tapioca starch, claims that tapioca starch
does not mask light flavors such as vanilla, peach and lemon, while cereal
based starches contain phospholipids which can provide an after taste. It has
low viscosity. Films, pastes and gels made of tapioca are clearer than other
starches. This makes fruit fillings look more appetizing. Tapioca is also
gluten-free and easier to digest. Tapioca is popular in baby foods. [1]
Tapioca starch can be modified to form high viscosity grade, acid-resistant, or
other specific properties. Let's see what researchers have found about
tapioca starch:
Japanese researchers from Ehime University noticed that tapioca starch
(RS3-tapioca) prevents ovarian hormone deficiency-induced
hypercholesterolemia in six-month-old Wistar female rats. During the study,
they also observed accelerated fecal excretion of bile acid and an increase in
the intestinal pool of bile acid. [2] The same group also noticed
hydroxypropyl-distarch phosphate from Tapioca starch reduced zinc and iron
absorption. [4]
Researchers from Shanghai Jiaotong University, developed a controlled (slow)
release formulation for insecticide acetamiprid using tapioca starch, urea and
sodium borate. The release mechanism is diffusion-controlled. [3]
Reference:
[1] http://www.multikem.com/tapioca.html [2] Liu X, Sawauchi H, Ogawa H,
Kishida T, Ebihara K. Retrograded tapioca starch prevents ovarian hormone
deficiency-induced hypercholesterolemia. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2006
Apr;52(2):134-41. [3] Cao Y, Huang L, Chen J, Liang J, Long S, Lu Y.
Development of a controlled release formulation based on a starch matrix
system. Int J Pharm. 2005 Jul 14;298(1):108-16. [4] Kishida T, Nakai Y,
Ebihara K. Hydroxypropyl-distarch phosphate from Tapioca starch reduces zinc
and iron absorption, but not calcium and magnesium absorption, in rats. J
Nutr. 2001 Feb;131(2):294-300.
that grows eight to twelve feet high. Its roots are a food source in native
growing areas, it can be as much as three feet long and five to ten inches in
diameter. Its roots can be boiled, fried or made into flour. [1]
Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch is found in the cells of the tubers. The unmodified starch is
called native tapioca starch or native tapioca flour. While totally natural,
native tapioca often does not lend itself to processed foods which will be
frozen, heated, microwaved or baked. [1]
Multikem corporation, the supplier of tapioca starch, claims that tapioca starch
does not mask light flavors such as vanilla, peach and lemon, while cereal
based starches contain phospholipids which can provide an after taste. It has
low viscosity. Films, pastes and gels made of tapioca are clearer than other
starches. This makes fruit fillings look more appetizing. Tapioca is also
gluten-free and easier to digest. Tapioca is popular in baby foods. [1]
Tapioca starch can be modified to form high viscosity grade, acid-resistant, or
other specific properties. Let's see what researchers have found about
tapioca starch:
Japanese researchers from Ehime University noticed that tapioca starch
(RS3-tapioca) prevents ovarian hormone deficiency-induced
hypercholesterolemia in six-month-old Wistar female rats. During the study,
they also observed accelerated fecal excretion of bile acid and an increase in
the intestinal pool of bile acid. [2] The same group also noticed
hydroxypropyl-distarch phosphate from Tapioca starch reduced zinc and iron
absorption. [4]
Researchers from Shanghai Jiaotong University, developed a controlled (slow)
release formulation for insecticide acetamiprid using tapioca starch, urea and
sodium borate. The release mechanism is diffusion-controlled. [3]
Reference:
[1] http://www.multikem.com/tapioca.html [2] Liu X, Sawauchi H, Ogawa H,
Kishida T, Ebihara K. Retrograded tapioca starch prevents ovarian hormone
deficiency-induced hypercholesterolemia. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2006
Apr;52(2):134-41. [3] Cao Y, Huang L, Chen J, Liang J, Long S, Lu Y.
Development of a controlled release formulation based on a starch matrix
system. Int J Pharm. 2005 Jul 14;298(1):108-16. [4] Kishida T, Nakai Y,
Ebihara K. Hydroxypropyl-distarch phosphate from Tapioca starch reduces zinc
and iron absorption, but not calcium and magnesium absorption, in rats. J
Nutr. 2001 Feb;131(2):294-300.
Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.