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Infrared microspectroscopy in the understanding of mechanically stressed cell walls

Reference	BBS/E/F/04210947
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr A Smith
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Quadram Institute Bioscience
Department	Quadram Institute Bioscience Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	36,486
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	07/10/1999
Duration	30 months

Abstract

Infrared Microspectroscopy (IM), combined with linear discriminant analysis is a powerful technique for detecting very subtle differences between groups of spectra. These combined methods have now been applied successfully to a number of cell wall problems including the differentiation of walls according to plant species and for the identification of mutants. A pilot study of the hard-to-cook beans has shown that it is possible to discriminate between the two types of bean by IM of walls extracted from the cotyledons. The combination of infrared microscopy and low strain mechanical deformation experiments would significantly enhance the understanding of the relationship between cell wall polymer structure and macroscopic properties. In combination with these experiments, Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis studies of the temperature and frequency dependent stiffness of cell wall and tissue specimens will be undertaken. Some large strain deformation studies will also be carried out to link the results to breakage of cell wall material, as relevant to processing and texture. Of particular interest is the molecular changes that occur in the middle lamella or cell wall prior to cell separation or cell breakage, which are the principal failure modes which distinguish normal and HTC beans after cooking.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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