Analysis of the Native Structure of Starch Granules with X-ray Microfocus Diffraction

Thomas A. Waigh, Ian Hopkinson, and Athene M. Donald*
Cavendish Laboratory, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OHE, England
Michael F. Butler
Department of Material Science and Metallurgy, New Museum Site, Cambridge, CB2 3QJ, England
Florian Heidelbach and Christian Riekel
ESRF, B.P. 220, F-38043 Grenoble, France
Macromolecules, 1997, 30 (13), pp 3813–3820
DOI: 10.1021/ma970075w
Publication Date (Web): June 30, 1997
Copyright © 1997 American Chemical Society
*

 To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Abstract

Results of microfocus X-ray diffraction at the ESRF are presented which provide unique evidence supporting a model for the structure of starch, much of this model having been previously derived only on the basis of circumstantial evidence. Here we present data from 2 μm regions within granules which have been subjected to no sample preparation and obtain oriented 2-D fiber patterns from the edge of B-type potato starch granules. This data is in good agreement with that previously calculated by Imberty/Perez1 for a B-type amylose fiber. The peripheral amylopectin helices are oriented in such a way they do not point to a single focus. No discontinuities (“grain boundaries”) within a granule could be found at the 10 μm level of resolution.

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History

  • Published In Issue June 30, 1997
  • Received January 22, 1997
    Revised Manuscript Received March 28, 1997

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