- Amylose
Amylose (CAS# 9005-82-7) is a planar
polymer ofglucose linked mainly by α(1→4) bonds. It can be made of several thousand glucose units. It is one of the two components ofstarch , the other beingamylopectin .The α(1→4) bonds promote the formation of a
helix structure. Thestructural formula of amylose is pictured at right. The number of repeated glucose subunits (n) can be many thousands (usually in the range of 300 to 3000).Amylose
starch is less readily digested thanamylopectin ; however, it takes up less space so is preferred for storage in plants: it makes-up about 30% of the stored starch in plants. The digestive enzymeamylase works on the ends of the starch molecule, breaking it down into sugars.Iodine molecules fit neatly inside the helical structure of amylose, binding with the starch polymer that absorbs certain knownwavelengths of light. Hence, a common test for starch is to mix it with a small amount of yellow iodine solution. In the presence of amylose, a blue-black color will be observed. The intensity of the color can be tested with acolorimeter , using a red filter to discern the concentration of starch present in the solution.High-amylose varieties of
rice have a much lowerglycemic load , which could be beneficial fordiabetics .External links
* [http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm glycemic load]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.