The characteristics on physicochemical and morphological properties of starches were investigated in fresh waxy corn kernels. Starches were isolated from eight waxy corn genotypes at the immature kernel stage growing in Thailand. The starch content showed variation with genotypes and ranged from 77.76 to 90.97 %. Granule size distribution showed a two population of starch granules with peak values ranged from 0.8 to 1.1 μm (small) and 9.0 to 12.2 μm (large). Genotypes were also significantly different for average chain length (CL), unit chain length distribution and pasting properties. The small granule (<5 μm) was negatively correlated with CL and degree of polymerization (DP) 25-36 of amylopectin (-0.82 and -0.67, respectively, P < 0.01). And a strong relationship between trough and final viscosity was consistent with the contribution of pasting properties.
Keywords: Amylopectin distribution; Granule size; Microstructure; Viscosity.