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Visualization of Channels and Cavities of Corn and Sorghum Starch Granules
Author(s) -
Huber Kerry C.,
B James N.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
cereal chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.558
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1943-3638
pISSN - 0009-0352
DOI - 10.1094/cchem.1997.74.5.537
Subject(s) - sorghum , chemistry , starch , granule (geology) , corn starch , microscopy , fluorescence microscope , scanning electron microscope , fluorescence , swelling , wheat starch , maize starch , electron microscope , food science , biophysics , chemical engineering , agronomy , materials science , optics , composite material , biology , physics , engineering
Evidence is presented that corn (maize) and sorghum starch granules have channels that connect a central cavity to the external environment. A mutant sorghum starch with numerous, large surface pores was treated with a methanolic solution of merbromin and sectioned. Light, fluorescence, and compositional backscattering electron microscopy revealed channels connecting an internal cavity to the external surface in most granules. Cavities and channels could also be seen in whole corn and sorghum starch granules treated with merbromin in methanol and viewed by fluorescence microscopy. Treatment of sorghum starch granules with an aqueous solution of merbromin revealed that the molecule penetrated the granule matrix under even slightly swelling conditions. Light microscopy showed cavities in unstained, whole, dry corn and sorghum starch granules mounted in immersion oil.