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Hydroxypropyl starch occurs as a free-flowing white to off-white coarse powder.

ChEBI: Pentaethylene glycol is a poly(ethylene glycol).

Hydroxypropyl starch is produced industrially from natural starch, using propylene oxide as the modifying reagent in the presence of alkali, adding hydroxypropyl (CH(OH)CH2CH3) groups at the OH positions by an ether linkage.

Hydroxypropyl starch is a modified starch and has been used in combination with carrageenan in the production of soft capsules. Hydroxypropyl starch has been used experimentally in hydrophilic matrices, where it was shown to be an effective matrix for tablets designed for controlled-release drug delivery systems.It has also been used experimentally in the production of hydrophilic matrices by direct compression.
It is used in antiseptics and is used widely in cosmetics. It is also used analytically as a bioseparation aqueous-phase-forming polymer.

Hydroxypropyl starch is widely used in cosmetics and food products. It is also used in oral pharmaceutical formulations. The WHO has set an acceptable daily intake for hydroxypropyl starch at ‘not limited’ since it was well tolerated on oral consumption.
LD50 (rat, oral): 0.218 g/kg

Hydroxypropyl starch is stable at high humidity and is considered to be inert under normal conditions. It is stable in emulsion systems at pH 3–9.

GRAS listed. Accepted for use as a food additive in Europe.