Next-generation technology for determining fitness-for-use of starches in cereal grains. The project will deliver a new methodology to characterize starch-containing materials such as grains. This will provide the first tools to readily measure the full size distribution of starch in industry laboratories, giving far more information than is currently accessible. The data will be extremely sensitive to structural characteristics associated with desirable end-use properties. The new process will ....Next-generation technology for determining fitness-for-use of starches in cereal grains. The project will deliver a new methodology to characterize starch-containing materials such as grains. This will provide the first tools to readily measure the full size distribution of starch in industry laboratories, giving far more information than is currently accessible. The data will be extremely sensitive to structural characteristics associated with desirable end-use properties. The new process will enable conventional instrumentation methodology to be re-engineered to better select starch-containing materials. This will enable superior targeting and processing of materials for improved products in human nutrition, animal feed and manufactured goods such as biodegradable plastics.Read moreRead less
Factors controlling higher-level starch structure. In a new paradigm for cereal chemistry, we will link structural and functional genomics to a mechanistic understanding of starch polymer structure. By using our novel characterization techniques, we will obtain the first data on the complex multiscale structure of starch in cereal grains that will be sensitive to the mechanisms of starch biosynthesis. These results will enable us to identify the genetic and environmental factors that, separately ....Factors controlling higher-level starch structure. In a new paradigm for cereal chemistry, we will link structural and functional genomics to a mechanistic understanding of starch polymer structure. By using our novel characterization techniques, we will obtain the first data on the complex multiscale structure of starch in cereal grains that will be sensitive to the mechanisms of starch biosynthesis. These results will enable us to identify the genetic and environmental factors that, separately and together, control starch structure in a range of cereals. This knowledge will provide a powerful tool for plant breeders and biotechnologists to produce cereals with improved properties.Read moreRead less