Derivatization patterns among starch chain populations assessed by ion-exchange chromatography: A model system approach

Reaction patterns of wheat starch derivatized with a fluorescent probe (model reaction system) were investigated over the course of a reaction period (0.5,4, 12, or 24 h). Debranched derivatives were fractionated into three populations (Unbound, Bound-1, Bound-2) based on charge density via anion-exchange chromatography, with each ion-exchanged fraction further analyzed by size-exclusion chromatography (refractive index [RI] and fluorescence [FL] detection) to assess proportions and patterns of reaction on amylose (AM) and amylopectin (AP) long (LC), medium (MC), and short (SC) branch chains. Approximately 11-12% of the total chains accounted for 63-75% of the FL recovered in the two bound fractions. FL peaks representing AM, AP-LC, AP-MC, AP-SC, and intermediate material (eluted with AM based on molecular size, but reacted more akin to AP-LC) were monitored over the reaction period. Fractionation behaviors varied amongst starch chains, attributable to the impact of the granule structure on molecular reaction patterns. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.