ISSN:
1615-6102
Keywords:
β-1,3 Glucan
;
Euglena
;
Freeze-etch
;
Microfibril
;
Paramylon
;
X-ray diffraction
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary Paramylon is the β-1,3 glucan storage carbohydrate in the euglenoid algae. Mature paramylon granules are highly crystalline, fibrillar, and have a complex substructure. X-ray diffraction was used to demonstrate that mature paramylon granules are much more crystalline than immature granules. Freeze-etch electron microscopy showed that in mature granules, the microfibrils are organized in highly ordered arrays while the microfibrils of immature granules are less organized. The data suggest that the high crystallinity of paramylon is due to higher-order aggregates of microfibrils and the interaction of water with the microfibrils. The dissolution of paramylon was recorded by darkfield videomicroscopy. In a 0.5 N NaOH solution, paramylon dissociates in a regular manner into its constituent 4 nm microfibrils, and the central region of the granule is the last remaining refractile area during the dissolution process.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01405924
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