A closer look to cell structural barriers affecting starch digestibility in beans.
Ana M Rovalino-Córdova1, Vincenzo Fogliano1, Edoardo Capuano1
1Food Quality and Design group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, 6708WG, Netherlands.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|December 20, 2017
Summary
The bean cell wall acts as a barrier, and the cytoplasm slows starch digestion. Reducing cell intactness speeds up starch breakdown but doesn't change the total amount digested.
Area of Science:
- Plant Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Food Science
Background:
- Starch digestibility is crucial for nutrient bioavailability.
- Understanding cellular barriers in plants is key to optimizing starch utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the roles of the cell wall and cytoplasmic matrix in limiting starch digestibility in bean cells.
- To determine how cell intactness affects the rate and extent of in-vitro starch hydrolysis.
Main Methods:
- Isolated bean cotyledon cells were subjected to enzymatic and mechanical treatments to alter cell intactness.
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical characterization were used to assess structural modifications.
- In-vitro starch digestion assays were performed to measure hydrolysis rates and extents.
Main Results:
- Enzymatic treatment modified cell wall thickness and porosity; mechanical treatment disrupted cell structure.
- Reduced cell intactness increased the rate of starch digestion.
- The extent of starch digestion was not affected by changes in cell intactness.
Conclusions:
- The plant cell wall functions as a permeable barrier, regulating digestive enzyme access to starch.
- The cytoplasmic matrix further restricts amylase accessibility, influencing starch hydrolysis rate.
- Cellular structural changes during digestion do not impact the overall extent of starch hydrolysis.
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