Size, shape and surface morphology of starch granules from Norway spruce needles revealed by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy: effects of elevated CO2 concentration
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2008 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Tree Physiology |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | http://heronpublishing.com/tree/pdf/volume28/28-1593.pdf |
| Field | Biochemistry |
| Keywords | AFM; Picea abies; starch granules; TEM |
| Description | We compared the effects of ambient (350 ppm) and elevated CO2 concentration (700 ppm) on the size and shape of starch granules in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) needles during one growing season. Starch granules were isolated from needles by alkaline digestion and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Measurements made with a particle size analyzer indicated that starch granules ranged between 0.5 and 10 um. Granule size and shape varied according to needle developmental stage and CO2 concentration. Generally, elevated CO2 concentration increased the size of the starch granules. Fine surface structures (less than 10 nm in size) studied by AFM were characterized by the presence of protrusions, furrows and pores. |
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