Starch granule surface imaging using low-voltage scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy.
High resolution imaging of wheat and potato starch granule surfaces has been performed using low-voltage scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The complimentary images of uncoated granules demonstrate that the two starch types possess substantially different surface topologies; potato starch has many protrusions (100-300 nm in diameter), above a flatter surface containing 20-50 nm structures, whilst wheat starch possesses far fewer protrusions and generally has a smoother surface composed of approximately 20 nm structures. The protrusions are believed to be carbohydrate in nature and thus represent the ends of amylopectin side-chain clusters at the granule surface.
Baldwin
P M
PM
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nottingham University, University Park, UK.
Davies
M C
MC
Melia
C D
CD
D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods*; D011198:Solanum tuberosum / Q000737:chemistry; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014908:Triticum / Q000032:analysis
D013213:Starch