Helium Ion Microscopy of Corn Starch

Abstract

Normal corn starch granules are imaged using a helium ion microscope (HIM). This relatively new imaging technique produces high‐resolution images of both the interior and exterior of the granules that allow features to be observed which had previously not been seen with scanning electron microscope. Of particular interest is the mesh‐like structure which is observed in the interior when starch granules are sectioned with a metal blade, a structure not currently part of existing models of starch architecture. HIM imaging provides a new way to characterize starch in the ongoing quest to elucidate its internal structure.

Characterizing internal cavity modulation of corn starch microcapsules

“…Helium ion microscopy (HIM) is a relatively new characterization method which is capable of producing high-resolution images of starch, as we have previously reported (Wulff et al, 2020). The results in Figure 7 support what is seen in the SEM images (Figure 6).…”