Starch microscopy

In the matrix of PLA/ polycaprilactone (PCL)/OMMT nano-composites, the silicate layers of the organoclay were intercalated and randomly distributed (Zhenyang et at, 2007). The PLA/PCL blend significantly improved the tensile and other mechanical properties by addition of OMMT. Thermal stability of PLA/PCL blends was also explicitly improved when the OMMT content is less than 5%wt. Preparation of PLA/thermoplastic starch/MMT nano-composites have been investigated and the products have been characterized using X-Ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and tensile measurements. The results show improvement in the tensile and modulus, and reduction in fracture toughness (Arroyo et ah, 2010). 

In the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, the starch nanoplatelets (SNPs) are believed to aggregate as a result of hydrogen bond interactions due to the surface hydroxyl groups [13] (Fig. lA). Blocking these interactions by relatively large molecular weight molecules obviously improves the individualization of the nanoparticles. The acetylated starch and cellulose nanoparticles (SAcNPs and CelAcNPs) appeared more individualized and monodispersed than their unmodified counterparts with a size of about 50 nm (Fig. IB C). 

Dang, J. M. C., Braet, F., and Copeland, L. (2006). Nanostructural analysis of starch components by atomic force microscopy. /. Microsc. 224,181-186. 

It is not particularly easy to measure the degree of starch damage present. The usual method involves treating the flour with a-amylase, which can only attack the damaged starch. The procedure requires an a-amylase preparation that has to be standardised. Alternatively, an estimate can be made by optical microscopy or by calculating from the water absorption of the flour and its protein content, assuming that the water absorption that exceeds that to be expected from the protein alone is due to the damaged starch. 

Baldwin PM, Adler J, Davies MC, Melia CD. High resolution imaging of starch granule surfaces by atomic force microscopy. J Cereal Sci 1998 27 255-265. 

Tapered module design, 15 835 Tapholes, blast furnace, 14 505-507, 509 Taphonomy, 5 752 Tapioca/cassava starch, 4 724t Tapping mode, in atomic force microscopy, 77 63 Tapping-mode AFM, 24 84 Tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM), 14 465, 16 501 Taq polymerase, 72 513 Taquidil... 

Pore dimensions may have a more subtle effect on decay rate depending on component dimensions and production method of the manufactured material. Products made from pasted starch, LDPE, and EAA (2) typically appeared as laminates of starch and plastic when examined by scanning electron microscopy (Figure 1). The dimensions of inter-laminate channels (i.e., pores) were not uniform and ranged from about 50 to 325 m in cross-section (22). Since flux is dependent on diffusional path area, the smaller pores can be an impediment to movement of solutes from the interior to the surface of the films. Figure 5 illustrates two films in which the laminate units are the same thickness, but differ in length. When the starch is removed... 

Fig. 16 Scanning electronic microscopy of granular starch before and after reaction at different...

Gallant, D. J., Bouchet, B., and Baldwin, P. M. 1997. Microscopy of starch Evidence of a new level of granule organization. Carbohyd. Polymers 32 177-91. 

Li, J. H., Guiltinan, M. J., and Thompson, D. B. 2006. The use of laser differential interference contrast microscopy for the characterization of starch granule ring structure. Starch-Starke 58 1-5. 

Mizutani, G., and Sano, H. 2003. Starch image in living water plants observed by optical second harmonic microscopy. In Science, technology and education of microscopy An overview, ed. A. Mendez-Vilas, 499-504. Badajoz, Spain Formatex. 

Mizutani, G., Sonoda, Y, Sano, H., Sakamoto, M., Takahashi, T., and Ushioda, S. 2000. Detection of starch granules in a living plant by optical second harmonic microscopy. J. Luminesc. 87-89 824-26. 

---