22nd Annual Student Research Conference
Scanning Electron Microscopy of High Amylose Corn Starch
Andrew J. Green
Dr. Mark Campbell and Dr. George L. Shinn, Faculty Mentors
High amylose corn (Zea mays), having elevated levels of the amylose portion of starch, has many unique physical characteristics which are currently being explored. It resists breakdown, and has many other traits which make it desirable for many things from synthetic plastic production to human food. In order to further explore the reasons for some of these physical properties, the starch was studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy. Seeds of Gem-0067, a high amylose line, and H99, a public inbred line were dissected and viewed in situ. Dried, purified starch was also viewed and photographed. The starch granules were found to vary a great deal between the two types, with the Gem-0067 starch containing many large filamentous granules, with at least four different shape conformations being observed.
Keywords: SEM, Maize, amylose, Starch, Granule, Corn
Topic(s):Agricultural Science
Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 9-1
Location: PML
Time: 4:15