International Journal of Molecular Sciences Review Understanding Starch Metabolism in Pea Seeds towards Tailoring Functionality for Value-Added Utilization Bianyun Yu 1,*, Daoquan Xiang 1 , Humaira Mahfuz 1,2, Nii Patterson 1 and Dengjin Bing 3 1 Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 110 Gymnasium Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W9, Canada;
[email protected] (D.X.);
[email protected] (H.M.);
[email protected] (N.P.) 2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada 3 Lacombe Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 6000 C and E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected] Abstract: Starch is the most abundant storage carbohydrate and a major component in pea seeds, accounting for about 50% of dry seed weight. As a by-product of pea protein processing, current uses for pea starch are limited to low-value, commodity markets. The globally growing demand for pea protein poses a great challenge for the pea fractionation industry to develop new markets for starch valorization. However, there exist gaps in our understanding of the genetic mechanism underlying starch metabolism, and its relationship with physicochemical and functional properties, which is a prerequisite for targeted tailoring functionality and innovative applications of starch. This review Citation: Yu, B.; Xiang, D.; outlines the understanding of starch metabolism with a particular focus on peas and highlights Mahfuz, H.; Patterson, N.; Bing, D. the knowledge of pea starch granule structure and its relationship with functional properties, and Understanding Starch Metabolism in industrial applications.