Nano-structure of heat-moisture treated waxy and normal starches.

Surface regions of untreated and heat-moisture treated (HMT) normal rice, waxy rice, normal corn, waxy corn, normal potato, and waxy potato starch granules were examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM images revealed surface roughness of untreated starch granules and protrusions with a diameter of approximately 15-90 nm. After treatment, the smooth surface region on starch granules was observed, especially in normal rice, waxy rice, and normal corn starches.

Degradation of microcrystalline cellulose and non-pretreated plant biomass by a cell-free extracellular cellulase/hemicellulase system from the extreme thermophilic bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii.

Caldicellulosiruptor bescii is a cellulolytic/hemicellulolytic anaerobe, which extracellularly secretes various proteins, including multidomain cellulases with two-catalytic domains, for plant biomass degradation. Degradation by C. bescii cells has been well characterized, but degradation by the cell-free extracellular cellulase/hemicellulase system (CEC) of C.

Effect of sectioning and water on resin-embedded sections of corn starch granules to analyze inner structure.

Resin-embedded sections and paired block surface of corn starch granules were observed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy to analyze the fine inner structure of starch granules and observe artifacts. Wrinkles were formed on the starch surfaces because of shear stress caused by the knife. Sectioned starches were isotropically expanded by water, and the growth rings and cracks between the growth rings were observed only on the sections.

Ultrastructural analysis of buckwheat starch components using atomic force microscopy.

Unlabelled: Morphological and structural features of buckwheat starch granules and nanocrystals were examined using atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Partially digested starch granules revealed a clear pattern of growth rings with the central core revealing lamellar structure. Atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering experiments revealed that the buckwheat starch granules were polygonal in shape and were in the range of 2 to 19 μm in diameter.

Karyotype analysis of buckwheat using atomic force microscopy.

Karyotype analysis and classification of buckwheat chromosomes were performed without chemical banding or staining using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Fagopyrum esculentum (common buckwheat) and Fagopyrum tartaricum (Tartarian buckwheat) chromosomes were isolated from root tissues using an enzymatic maceration technique and spread over a glass substrate. Air-dried chromosomes had a surface with ridges, and the height of common and tartary buckwheat were approximately 350 and 150 nm.