The Density of Wheat Starch Granules: A Tracer Dilution Procedure for Determining the Density of an Immiscible Dispersed Phase

A new method for the determination of the hydrated density of starch granules is presented. The method is based on dilution of a high molecular weight dye. Both mechanical damage and increased temperature lower the hydrated density. Treatment with toluene-acetone and dry heating had significant effects on the density of damaged but not on intact granules. The method should have wide application to other biological materials and solvent systems.