Structure of Starch
It is formed by units of glucose and is a homopolysaccaride. It is found in the vegetable cells and is composed of two types of homopolysaccaride; Amylopectin and amylose.
Amylose:
Amylose is composed of about 5-600 glucose units and is an un-branched homopolysaccaride. The units are linked by α-(1→4) glycosidic bonds. It is present in the core of starch granules and is soluble is water. The structure of amylose is helix with six glucose units. The glucose units or molecules are linked in linear fashion in amylose. However, the tetrahedral chemistry gives it spiral shape (Jenkins, et al., 1993).
Amylopectin
Almost 80% of polysaccharides taken up with diet are represented by amylopectin. It is formed by thousands of glucose units i.e. up to approximately 50,000 and is branched molecule. A lateral chain or branch point is present in approximately every 25-30 glucose units and the units are linked to the main chain by α-(1→6) glycosidic bonds. On the lateral chain, the glucose chain from 15-25glucose units is …show more content…
Human body needs abundant supply of fresh water to regulate the virtually metabolic processes of the body. Water is contained in bones, fat and lean muscle and forms basis of blood, urine, digestive juices and perspiration. Water maintains health and integrity of every cell of the body. It helps in keeping the bloodstream liquid enough for the efficient flow through blood vessels. It keeps the body healthy by helping in eliminating by products from the body. It helps in keeping moistened the mucous membranes such as mouth and lungs and through sweating also helps in regulating body temperature (Wells,