Application of Atomic Force Microscopy on Studying Micro- and Nano-Structures of Starch

Abstract

This paper reviews the application of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to the study of starch structures, including both macrostructure of starch granules and the nanostructure of molecular chains. It introduces the different techniques of sample preparation and discusses what AFM could observe. The paper summarises the present situation of the application of AFM in the study of starch structures and guides the direction for further research.