IMAGING XANTHAN GUM IN AIR BY AC TAPPING MODE ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY

Images of the bacterial polysaccharide xanthan gum have been obtained in air using an atomic force microscope ''tapping'' mode. Aqueous solu tions of xanthan were deposited onto freshly cleaved mica and allowed to dry in air. Images have been obtained at high and low coverage of t he substrate revealing both networks and individual molecules.