Koch K, Ensikat HJ. The hydrophobic coatings of plant surfaces: epicuticular wax crystals and their morphologies, crystallinity and molecular self-assembly.
Micron 2007;
39:759-72. [PMID:
18187332 DOI:
10.1016/j.micron.2007.11.010]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2007] [Revised: 11/26/2007] [Accepted: 11/27/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Plant surfaces are the interfaces of the organisms with respect to their environment. In the micro-dimension they show an enormous variety of functional three-dimensional structures. Their materials and structures developed over millions of years by evolutionary processes in which their functionality has been proven and selected by environmental pressures. As a result, nature developed highly functional materials with several amazing properties like superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity. These functional structures are built up by a complex biopolymer called cuticle. The cuticle is mainly composed of a three-dimensional network of cutin, and integrated and superimposed lipids called "waxes". Superimposed waxes are also called "epicuticular waxes". Epicuticular waxes often form two- and three-dimensional structures, in dimensions between hundreds of nanometers and some micrometers, which influence the wettability, self-cleaning behaviour and the light reflection at the cuticle interface. This review gives a brief introduction into the functions of the plant epicuticular waxes and summarises the current knowledge about their morphologies, crystal structures, growth by self-assembly and provides an overview about the microscopy and preparation techniques for their analysis.
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