1.1: Polysaccharides - Starch
- Page ID
- 1331
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Starch is the storage form of glucose in plants. There are two forms of starch: amylose and amylopectin. Structurally they differ in that amylose is a linear polysaccharide, whereas amylopectin is branched. The linear portion of both amylose and amylopectin contains alpha 1-4 glycosidic bonds, while the branches of amylopectin are made up of alpha 1-6 glycosidic bonds.
Figure 2.1511 Structure of amylose
Figure 2.1512 Structure of amylopectin
Amylopectin is more common than amylose (4:1 ratio on average) in starch1,2. Some starchy foods include grains, root crops, tubers, and legumes.
References & Links
- Stipanuk MH. (2006) Biochemical, physiological, & molecular aspects of human nutrition. St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.
- Byrd-Bredbenner C, Moe G, Beshgetoor D, Berning J. (2009) Wardlaw's perspectives in nutrition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Contributors and Attributions
Brian Lindshield (Kansas State University). Content originates from the Human Nutrition (FNDH 400) Flexbook. goo.gl/vOAnR.