The hydrophobic coatings of plant surfaces: epicuticular wax crystals and their morphologies, crystallinity and molecular self-assembly.
Plant surfaces are the interfaces of the organisms with respect to their environment. In the micro-dimension they show an enormous variety of functional three-dimensional structures. Their materials and structures developed over millions of years by evolutionary processes in which their functionality has been proven and selected by environmental pressures. As a result, nature developed highly functional materials with several amazing properties like superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity. These functional structures are built up by a complex biopolymer called cuticle. The cuticle is mainly composed of a three-dimensional network of cutin, and integrated and superimposed lipids called "waxes". Superimposed waxes are also called "epicuticular waxes". Epicuticular waxes often form two- and three-dimensional structures, in dimensions between hundreds of nanometers and some micrometers, which influence the wettability, self-cleaning behaviour and the light reflection at the cuticle interface. This review gives a brief introduction into the functions of the plant epicuticular waxes and summarises the current knowledge about their morphologies, crystal structures, growth by self-assembly and provides an overview about the microscopy and preparation techniques for their analysis.
Koch
Kerstin
K
Nees Institute for Biodiversity of Plants, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 170, 53115 Bonn, Germany. koch@uni-bonn.de
Ensikat
Hans-Jürgen
HJ
D003460:Crystallization; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D019441:Plant Epidermis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D014885:Waxes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*
D014885:Waxes