Molecular arrangement in blocklets and starch granule architecture

The main hypotheses and the data regarding the starch granule structure and behaviour were gathered and considered comprehensively in this paper. The starch molecules such as amylopectin, amylose and intermediate materials, the non-starch molecules such as bound phosphates and lipids, and the crystal dimensions etc. their roles were demonstrated in the architectures of blocklet and granular ultrastructure. A normal blocklet is mainly constructed by the crystalline and amorphous lamellaes that are formed with the clusters of amylopectin molecule(s). The reducing terminal of the amylopectins in the blocklets may be toward ail equal course. However, the defective blocklet production may be due to the participation of lower branching molecules such as amylose and intermediate materials. From the viewpoint of the physicochemical properties of the starch granules, the blocklet of two types may be arranged into the two formations, heterogeneous shell and homogenous shell. The amylopectin plays main role in blocklet architecture, while the other component is important in contributing to the strength and flexibility of starch granule. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.