Morphologies and microstructures of cornstarches with different amylose–amylopectin ratios studied by confocal laser scanning microscope

The morphologies and microstructures of cornstarches with different amylose–amylopectin ratios (waxy: 0/100; maize: 23/77; Gelose 50: 50/50; and Gelose 80: 80/20) were studied by a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The temperature-induced changes of the cornstarch granules in excess of water were also studied under CLSM. Acid hybridization of starch by HCl was used to enhance the difference between amorphous and crystalline ranges. It was found that the high-amylose starches (G50 and G80) were brighter than those of low-amylopectin starches (waxy and maize) under confocal laser light, and the average (decreasing) fluorescence intensity sequence of the granules was G80 > G50 > maize > waxy. Waxy and maize starches showed clear internal cavities and channels, whilst G50 and G80 had bright cores. Sharp growth ring structures can be clearly observed for low-amylose starches (waxy and maize) after acid hydrolysis. Gelatinization of all starches starts at the hilum and the adjacent of the channels, and spreads rapidly to the periphery. This work is the first time that three-dimensional images of partly gelatinized granules have been constructed and presented from different confocal images, which allows further exploration of the mechanisms of gelatinization.