MICROSTRUCTURE OF STARCH GRANULE RELATED TO KERNEL HARDNESS IN CORN

Abstract

The kernel hardness of 21 corn (Zea mays L.) cultivars was studied in relation to texture, flotation index, size and arrangement of the starch granules within the endosperm, using scanning electron microscope. Hardness (7.6 – 16.9 kg-f) was related to the size and the arrangement of the starch granules within the endosperm. Hard corn had large and small polygonal granules in a compact protein matrix. Data obtained from scanning electron microscopy showed a positive correlation of hardness with density and starch granule size, and a negative correlation with flotation index and crystallinity.