Lopez-Sanchez, Patricia
- University of Queensland
Abstract
The interactions between heteroxylans and mixed linkage glucans determine the architecture and mechanical properties of cereal endosperm cell walls. In this work hydrogels made of cross-linked arabinoxylan with addition of p-glucan were synthesised by cryogelation as a biomimetic tool to investigate endosperm walls. Molecular and microstructural properties were characterised by nuclear magnetic resonance (C-13 NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunolabelling/confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The response to mechanical stress was studied by compression-relaxation experiments. The hydrogels consisted of a scaffold characterised by dense walls interconnected by macropores with both hemicelluloses co-localised and homogeneously distributed. The gels showed a high degree of elasticity reflected in their ability to resist compression without developing cracks and recover 60-80% of their original height. Our results highlight the compatibility of these hemicelluloses to coexist in confined environments such as cell walls and their potential role in determining mechanical properties in the absence of cellulose. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Arabinoxylan; beta-Glucan; Gels; Compression; Microstructure; Cryogelation
Published in
Carbohydrate Polymers
2016, volume: 151, pages: 862-870
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD
SLU Authors
UKÄ Subject classification
Polymer Chemistry
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.06.038
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/83146