Single Helical Structures V-Complexes of Amylose

Amylose-iodine complexes have a deep blue color, which is a result of an electron relay on the polyiodide ions.196 The helix of amylose provides a tunnel for iodine molecules to align. Stability of the amylose-iodine complex has been studied.197 Iodine has been widely used for quantification of amylose contents despite the fact that the blue color development is affected by many factors, including temperature, pH and mechanical mixing. Several improved methods have been reported (see Section 6.III.1). 

13C-CP-MAS NMR produces a broad resonance with a chemical shift of 31.2 ppm,129 a characteristic of mid-chain methylene carbons of fatty acids in the V-amylose complex. The results showed that up to 43% of amylose in non-waxy rice starch, 33% in oat starch, and 22% in normal maize and wheat starch granules are complexed with lipids at a single helical conformation, and the remaining amylose is free of lipids and is in a random coil conformation.212 Up to 60% of apparent amylose in waxy barley starch is complexed with lipids.212 

Amylose single helical complexes are metastable.182 189 190 When the complexing agents are lost, the amylose single helices are prone to convert to random coils189 or to double helices.177 178 

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