Micrometrics and Morphological Properties of Starch

Abstract

Starch occurs in form of granules and constitutes a primary manner in which of carbohydrates are stored chiefly in seeds and underground organs and sparingly in other morphological parts such as leaf and bark parts of plants. Grains of transitional starch can be found in the stroma of chloroplast and cytoplasm in leaf parts when exposed to the sun and transferred to organs for storage at dark times. The shape and size, ratio of amylose and amylopectin content of starch grains are peculiar to different biological sources. A literature survey was carried out using various search engines. Journals were searched for using keywords such as microscopy, amylopectin, starch granules etc. The relative qualitative and quantitative properties of starches from various morphological parts of 35 species from 15 families were studied. The qualitative features of shape and size as observed from microscopy were not specific or peculiar to each genus and family as similar shapes and sizes cut across different species. Amylopectin and amylose contents varied considerably among all the species and can be used as one of the means of identification for medicinal plants and the delineation of plant species along with other genetic and physicochemical properties. discrepancies. In the identification of some species, some morphometric features are specific enough and marker worthy to identify these species however this will be specie specific and might not cut across the genus or family of the botanical source. The qualitative and quantitative morphological and physicochemical properties can be harnessed in the selection of starches from different botanical sources for different uses.

Physical, Chemical and Functional Characterization of a Novel Starch from Dioscorea sagittifolia and its Synergetic Studies with Terminalia mantalys Gum

“…Figure 1A shows that the morphology of D. sagittifolia free starch granules has cylindrical, rod-like or oblong and oval shapes that are symmetrical with smooth surfaces and with lengths between 134 and 179 m. Riley et al [21] reported similar shapes for certain cultivars of Dioscorea alata. Starches high in amylose are many times more elongated [40]. A value of 23.65% amylose obtained in this study is high enough to warrant the elongated shapes observed herein.…”

“…Other factors capable of influencing the starch granule properties are temperature, storage and cultural practices [41]. Fatokun [40] reported that the sizes of granules of starch have been observed to range from small (2 10…”

The untold story of starch as a catalyst for organic reactions

“…1 Traditionally, this biopolymer has been used in the food industry, however, thanks to the advancement of technology and increasing research, starch is not limited only to the food industry anymore, and there are many other industries like textiles and paper, chemicals, agriculture, medicine, and engineering industries that benefit starch and its applications. 2…”

“…1 Despite the numerous natural sources of starch, about 80% of the global starch production comes from Zea mays (corn). 2…”

Starch/ Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Blend Bioplastics: Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties

“…[6]. Likewise, starch, a natural polymer mostly found in plants, is present in a granular form [7]. Basically, plants genotype and cultural practice may differ in the morphology of starch granules which are mostly present in seeds, roots, tubers, stems and leaves [8].The starch-based bioplastic can serve as an alternative material for existing commodity plastics [9].…”