Holes in Starch Granules: Confocal, SEM and Light Microscopy Studies of Starch Granule Structure

Following an initial observation of putative holes within potato starch granules during observation in a medium with the same refractive index, the internal architecture of starch granules has been investigated using confocal, scanning electron and light microscopy. These complimentary microscopy techniques confirmed the existence of holes at the hilum of potato, rice and wheat starch granules. Observations were made with minimal sample preparation to avoid the generation of artifactual holes. Using image analysis we have quantitatively measured the occurrence and the size distribution of holes and linked their appearance to the drying of the granule.