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The silica content of plant polysaccharides
Author(s) -
Khalil Nabeel F.,
Duncan Henry J.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740320417
Subject(s) - amylopectin , polysaccharide , starch , pectin , potato starch , chemistry , food science , botany , biology , amylose , biochemistry
Abstract Analysis of several plant polysaccharides confirmed the presence of silica (Si) in all pectin samples analysed and revealed its presence in potato starch. In the latter case the Si was concentrated in the amylopectin fraction. The range of Si values found, based on dry weight of polysaccharide analysed, was: (a) for pectin 1.40‐2.30; and (b) for potato starch 0.47‐0.80 mg g −1 . Other samples analysed contained less than 0.10 mg g −1 . It would appear that most of the Si present in potato tubers is located in the starch grain where its distribution parallels that of phosphorus (P). The comparable range of values found for P in potato starch was 1.30‐1.60 mg g −1 . It is thus possible that some of the distinctive properties of potato starch attributed to P could be influenced by the Si present.