Starch granule size distribution from twelve wheat cultivars in east China’s Huaibei region

Abstract

The granule size distribution of starch strongly influences its physicochemical properties and the functionality of wheat. Twelve wheat cultivars grown in east China’s Huanghuai region were used for investigating the granule size distribution, amylose content, and their interrelationship. The results showed that the volume distribution of starch granules show the typical bimodal with peak values in the ranges of 4.44–5.36 µm and 21.7–23.82 µm, respectively. Surface area distribution of granules was also bimodal with peak values in the ranges of 2.53–3.06 µm and 19.8–21.7 µm, respectively. The limits between the two populations both occurred at 10 µm. A typical population of number distribution of granules with peak values in the range of 0.52–0.67 µm. Proportions of granules <2.6 µm, 2.6–10 µm, and 10–40 µm were in the range of 10.06–13.63%, 28.54–41.6%, and 45.4–61.3% of total volume, respectively. Proportions of granules <10 µm were in the range of 99.9% of the total number. The amylose content was significant and negatively correlated to volume percentage of granule <10 µm, and significant and positively correlated to the volume percentage of granule 22–40 µm.