Abstract
Degradation mechanism of starch granules of tobacco leaves (var. Hicks) during flue-curing was examined.
Starch granules of tobacco leaves during flue-curing presumed to be degraded by reverse apposition judging by the observation of scanning electron microscope and changes in granule size, X-ray diffraction pattern, photopastegram pattern, intrinsic viscosity and phosphorus content.
α-Amylase susceptibility of starch granules varied according to the stage of yellowing. In general, the granules isolated in the middle and the end of yellowing were more sensitive to a-amylase than those isolated before curing and in the beginning of yellowing.
