CHANGES IN WHEAT MICROSTRUCTURE FOLLOWING IN-VITRO DIGESTION

A three-step digestion simulation model was used to study the effects of monogastric digestive enzymes and exogenous microbial enzymes on th e microstructure of wheat. Sections were stained for cell wall polysac charides, protein, starch and phytate. Bright held and fluorescence mi croscopy was used to study the microstructural changes following each step of the digestion process. Starchy endosperm protein was not detec ted after the pepsin step, although aleurone protein was largely unaff ected. After pancreatin treatment, starch had also disappeared. Xylana se decreased the fluorescence of the aleurone protein and collapsed th e cell walls in the subaleurone. Unbroken cell walls of the aleurone a nd endosperm were not influenced by any of the treatments.