. Recently, much attention has been focused on polymeric composite materials filled with nano-sized particles called nanocomposites.  Starch nanoparticles (SNPs) are considered one of the most promising polymers for fabrication of polymer nanocomposites and degradable materials, due to their wide availability, biodegradability, impressive mechanical properties, and low permeability.

Starch is a natural, renewable, and biodegradable polymer produced by many plants as a source of stored energy. It is the second most abundant biomass material in nature.

In the native state, starch is insoluble in cold water and consists of granules have microscopic sizes with diameters ranging from 0.1 to 200 µm.

In the present work the modification is done by the introduction of hydrophobic groups on the surface of the biopolymer which gives it amphiphilic properties.

Amphiphilic modification is an effective method of improving the hydrophobicity of starch and has been attracting more researchers' interest. Amphiphilic polymers have a wide variety of applications, particularly in emulsification, encapsulation, films and coatings, and gel production.

Native and modified starch nanoparticles having particle sizes of about 500 nm have been synthesized.