Morphometric analysis of paramylon particles produced by Euglena gracilis EOD-1 using FIB/SEM tomography.

In this study, we attempted to observe the detailed three-dimensional structure of paramylon by focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM). Paramylon samples were fixed and three-dimensional image reconstruction and segmentation of the image stack were created using computer software (Amira v6.0.1, FEI). The results indicated that the inside of paramylon particles (diameter: 5μm, thickness: 3μm) was comprised of a dense structure with no evidence of the presence of large pores and gaps, although a small 100 nm crack was observed. The specific surface area of paramylon particles measured by the BET method, was not as large as activated charcoal, but similar to those of plant starches, indicating that the cholesterol-lowering effect of paramylon cannot be simply attributed to its adsorption ability. The FIB/SEM method was found to be useful for elucidating the internal structure of small solid particles. PMID: 31666462 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) Source Type: research