Semicrystalline native starch granules display a hierarchical structural periodicity (Fig. 1.3). When observed by light and electron microscopy, starch granules have a characteristic layered structure. This feature is the result of multiple concentric shells of increasing diameter extending from the hilum (the centre of growth) towards the surface of granules. These so-called ‘growth rings’ represent periodical deposition of starch (Baker et al., 2001; Donald, 2001; Donald et al., 2001; Gallant et al., 1997; Ridout et al., 2002). These layers are alternating regions of high and low density, refractive index, crystallinity and resistance to acid and enzymic hydrolysis. The thickness of the radial growth rings is typically 120 to 400 nm. The low-density amorphous rings consist of amylose and amylopectin in a disordered conformation, whereas the dense semicrystalline rings are formed by a lamellar structure of alternating crystalline and amorphous regions with a repeat distance of 9 to 11 nm (Cameron & Donald, 1992). The crystalline regions of the lamellae are mainly formed by double helices of amylopectin side chains packed laterally into a crystalline lattice, whereas amorphous regions contain amylose and the amylopectin branching points. Amylopectin clusters may contain amylose tie-chains, which are amylose molecules that pass through both the crystalline and amorphous layers. It is proposed that
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