Scanning Electron Microscopy of Wheat Starch II. Structure of Granules Modified by Alpha‐Amylolysis – Preliminary report

Abstract

Abstract Wheat starch granules were subjected to alpha‐amylolysis after which they were examined in the Scanning electron microscope. Much variation exists among starch granules; thus conclusions based on the observation of the precise mode of α‐amylase attack on a few individual granules may not be generally applicable. It has been found, however, that where a groove is present in a granule, α‐amylase attack generally occurs here, complete penetration either occurring exclusively at this feature or accompanying penetration at apparently randomly located sites on the major surfaces. This preliminary investigation of starch granules attacked by amylase has provided new information which augments the results of studies by other microscopical methods. Observation of the detailed structure of the equatorial groove in modified granules is particularly relevant to a better understanding of this feature in starch granules.