Anyango, Joseph OchiengTaylor, J.R.N. (John Reginald Nuttall)Taylor, Janet2014-03-312014-12-012013-11Anyango, JO, Taylor, JRN & Taylor, J 2013, 'Role of γ-kafirin in the formation and organization of kafirin microstructures', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, vol. 61, no. 45, pp. 10757-10765.0021-8561 (print)1520-5118 (online)10.1021/jf403571ehttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/37211The possible importance of the cysteine-rich γ-prolamin in kafirin and zein functionality has been neglected. The role of γ-kafirin in organized microstructures was investigated in microparticles. Residual kafirin (total kafirin minus γ-kafirin) “microparticles” were non-discrete (amorphous mass of material), as viewed by electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Adding 15% γ-kafirin to residual kafirin resulted in the formation of a mixture of non-discrete material and nanosize discrete spherical structures. Adding 30% γ-kafirin to the residual kafirin resulted in discrete spherical nanosize particles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that γ-kafirin had a mixture of random-coil and β-sheet conformations, in contrast to total kafirin, which is mainly α-helical conformation. γ-Kafirin also had a very high glass transition temperature (Tg) (≈270 °C). The conformation and high Tg of γ-kafirin probably confer structural stability to kafirin microstructures. Because of its ability to form disulfide cross-links, γ-kafirin appears to be essential to form and stabilize organized microstructures.en© 2013 American Chemical Society. This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, vol. 61, no. 45, pp. 10757-10765, 2013. doi : 10.1021/jf403571eKafirin microparticlesDisulfide cross-linkingGlass transition temperatureSecondary structureY-kafirinPostprint Article