Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 10
Preparation of Amylose-Based
Nanomaterials by Phosphorylase
Catalysis
10.1
Outlines of Nanomaterials Produced by
Self-Assembly or Complex Formation of
Macromolecules
Spontaneous self-assembly of macromolecules offers a means to
construct a variety of nano-ordered structures. Such nanostructured
materials with well-defined shape and size have potential
fundamental and practical implications in areas such as materials,
supramolecular, and biomimetic chemistries. A typical example for
macromolecular self-assembly is provided using block copolymers,
wherein different linear homopolymers are linked by covalent
bonds [1]. The case of diblock copolymers has been particularly
well studied. When diblock copolymers are dissolved in a selective
solvent, spontaneous self-assembly into aggregates occurs. Different
morphologies will form upon variation of the construction, the
quality of the solvent, or the relative length of the two blocks.
However, crystalline amylose-lipid complexes have a V-type
structure and can be endogenously present in starch granules [2] or
formed upon heating of starch suspensions in the presence of either
