Caractérisation par RMN des biopolymères d'origine végétale, de la molécule à l'organisation supramoléculaire

Unambiguous Ex Situ and in Cell 2D 13C Solid-State NMR Characterization of Starch and Its Constituents

Starch is the most abundant energy storage molecule in plants and is an essential part of the human diet. This glucose polymer is composed of amorphous and crystalline domains in different forms (A and B types) with specific physicochemical properties that determine its bioavailability for an organism, as well as its value in the food industry. Using two-dimensional (2D) high resolution solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SS-NMR) on 13C-labelled starches that were obtained from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii microalgae, we established a complete and unambiguous assignment for starch and its constituents (amylopectin and amylose) in the two crystalline forms and in the amorphous state. We also assigned so far unreported non-reducing end groups and assessed starch chain length, crystallinity and amylose content. Starch was then characterized in situ, i.e., by 13C solid-state NMR of intact microalgal cells. Our in-cell methodology also enabled the identification of the effect of nitrogen starvation on starch metabolism. This work shows how solid-state NMR can enable the identification of starch structure, chemical modifications and biosynthesis in situ in intact microorganisms, eliminating time consuming and potentially altering purification steps.

Multi-scale characterization of thermoplastic starch structure using Second Harmonic Generation imaging and NMR

Starch granules can be extruded to obtain a thermoplastic material. Thermoplastic starch (TPS) usually requires a significant break down of the starch granular organization to form a continuous polysaccharide matrix. In this work, we extrude potato starch with and without a plasticizer and store samples at high humidity to generate recrystallization. A multi-scale investigation of the microstructure is performed by combining different techniques: WAXS and solid-state NMR to describe macromolecule organization and Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) imaging to provide spatial information. Finally, the ability of the material to swell and remain sound in water is assessed. Glycerol-plasticized samples swell the least despite many granules with native-like structure embedded in the starch matrix. Glycerol limits the fragmentation and melting of the granules and crystallites during extrusion but also reduces the proportion of starch molecules in constrained conformations, enabling the formation of a polymer network that can sustain the penetration of water.

Partial structural characterization of pectin cell wall from Argania spinosa leaves

The pectin polysaccharides from leaves of Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels, collected from Stidia area in the west coast of northern Algeria, were investigated by using sequential extractions and the resulting fractions were analysed for monosaccharide composition and chemical structure. Water-soluble pectic (ALS-WSP) and chelating-soluble pectic (ALS-CSP) fractions were obtained, de-esterified and fractionated by anion-exchange chromatography and characterized by sugar analysis combined with methylation analysis and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The data reveal the presence of altering homogalacturonan (HG) and rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) in both pectin fraction. The rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) are consisted of a disaccharide repeating unit [→ α-D-GalpA-1,2-α-L-Rhap-1,4 →] backbone, with side chains contained highly branched α-(1 → 5)-linked arabinan and short linear β-(1 → 4)-linked galactan, attached to O-4 of the rhamnosyl residues.

Isolation, Structural Characterization, and Valorization of Pectic Substances from Algerian Argan Tree Leaves (Argania spinosa(L.) Skeels)

Pectic polysaccharides were solubilized from Algerian argan tree leaves by sequential extraction with water at 100°C (water-soluble pectin; AL-WSP) and EDTA solution at 80°C (chelating-soluble pectin; AL-CSP). Both AL-WSP and AL-CSP were rich in arabinose (28% and 74.5%, resp.) and had a high content of uronic acid (38.5% and 21.5%, resp.). Pectic substances were deesterified and fractionated by anion exchange chromatography, giving five fractions for each extract. Most of the fractions were characterized by methylation analysis and then analyzed by13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results showed that AL-WSP consisted of rhamnogalacturonan type I, with arabinan and galactan branching at the O-4 position of the main rhamnose chain, while AL-CSP consisted of rhamnogalacturonan type I and a block of homogalacturonan. Antioxidant activities of AL-WSP and AL-CSP were evaluated by electronic spin resonance. The results showed that the antioxidant potential of AL-WSP (8.1%) and AL-CSP (−1.2%) was significantly lower than that of vitamin E.