Selective detection of starch in banana fruit with Raman spectroscopy.

To develop an analytical method for rapid quantification of starch in agricultural produce, we measured the Raman spectra of ripening banana fruit and compared the obtained data to those of standard starch, sugar, and fiber chemical samples. Standard starches exhibited distinctive Raman bands, which were similar to the spectral features in green banana before ripening. Moreover, these banana-derived Raman bands gradually weakened during 10 d of storage.

Mechanism for enhancing the growth of mung bean seedlings under simulated microgravity.

To elucidate a mechanism for enhancing mung bean seedlings' growth under microgravity conditions, we measured growth, gene expression, and enzyme activity under clinorotation (20 rpm), and compared data obtained to those grown under normal gravity conditions (control). An increase in fresh weight, water content, and lengths were observed in the clinostat seedlings, compared to those of the control seedlings. Real-time PCR showed that aquaporin expression and the amylase gene were upregulated under clinorotation.

Determination of starch crystallinity with the Fourier-transform terahertz spectrometer.

We measured the terahertz (THz) spectra of native, amorphous, and dried starches derived from corn and potato using the Fourier-transform (FT) system and compared these spectra to the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. Both native corn and potato starches had seven absorption peaks in the terahertz regions, but five peaks were observed in the amorphous states. While spectral changes slightly occurred in corn starch even after drying, increase and decrease in the terahertz peak intensities were obtained in potato starch during drying.

Useful tissues in cabbage head for freshness evaluation with visible and near infrared spectroscopy.

To determine which cabbage head tissues are useful for evaluating freshness using spectroscopic technology, we stored wrapped and unwrapped cabbage heads for up to 30 d, and measured visible and near infrared spectra (420-2500 nm) of the 1st-10th leaf layers and cores. We found that spectral changes in leaves were affected both by leaf layer and storage conditions, while continuous spectral changes were observed in the cores regardless of storage condition. These spectral changes in the leaves and cores were consistent with color images and water content.

Quantification of starch content in germinating mung bean seedlings by terahertz spectroscopy.

To investigate the potential of terahertz spectroscopy to monitor and quantify starch in plants, terahertz spectra (3.0-13.5 THz) of mung bean plants 1-7 days after germination were examined and compared to those of starch and its constituent saccharides (standard reagents).