Study on alpha-amylase hydrolysis of potato amylopectin by a quartz crystal microbalance.

Potato amylopectin with phosphate groups was immobilized on a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCMD) using the attractive interaction between opposite charges, and enzymatic starch hydrolysis was monitored directly. Poly( L-lysine) (PLL) proved to be an appropriate cationic linker between the QCMD silica sensor and potato amylopectin. Increased mass and dissipation were observed when amylopectin was adsorbed onto the PLL layer and reversed when alpha-amylase was added.

Deposition of pectin/poly-L-lysine multilayers with pectins of varying degrees of esterification.

The effect of pectin esterification on the assembly of multilayers consisting of poly-L-lysine (PLL) and pectin was studied using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), and a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCMD). With each layer deposited, there was a progressive increase in mass. The net charge of the multilayers was positive and increased with increasing degree of esterification of the pectin.

Characterization of starch from tubers of yam bean (Pachyrhizus ahipa).

Detailed studies of the starch present in tubers of six accessions of Pachyrhizus ahipa (ahipa) have been carried out using starches from tubers of P. erosus (Mexican yam bean) and seeds of ahipa and wheat for comparison. Starch accounted for 56-58% of the tuber dry weight with granules occurring in a range of geometric forms and in sizes from below 5 microm to about 35 microm (mean about 10 microm in all accessions except two).