Where Is Starch Stored Within Plants?
Starch is stored primarily in the tubers of plants, according to Orthomolecular.org. It also can be found in the seeds, fruits and roots in the form of grains of varying size and shape.
Starch is a major reserve of carbohydrates in plants. Located most often in the seed endosperm and tubers of the plant, starch is made up of many granules. The granules usually have amylopectin molecules along with the smaller amylose molecules. It is possible to separate amylopectin and amylose. In recent years, it has become possible to modify the starch to provide specific functionality.
Starch is an extremely important component of the plants that humans eat. The largest sources of starch are found in corn, rice and potato among a few sources. When people ingest starch, it is converted to glucose to be burned off for energy. Starch is considered to be a polysaccharide, and it is similar to cellulose. A healthy diet will consist of a large amount of starch to provide a healthy source of energy. In addition to being used as food, starch has many commercial uses such as in foam packing.
Starch is one of the main ways plants store their food. This is why eating foods such as potatoes and rice is such a good way of boosting energy. Starch can be viewed within plants by using a microscope, and it is an odorless, tasteless white powder.
