Starch analysis
[4] The starch grain is specifically important for study due to the fact that it is commonly found in most plants, its long-lasting nature, as well as the diverse forms and structures that they can take based on which taxa they belong to.
[1] Specifically, it can be important to incorporate the staining process into an analysis due to the fact that there are several other structures found naturally that have similar characteristics to starch when compared under a microscope.
This is a common technique for the use of understanding specifically how stone tools were used, and what types of plants were being exploited during the time being studied.
[1] Another common approach is to dislodge the starch grains through sonication, which is a laboratory technique that uses sound waves to "agitate particles" in order to convert an electrical signal into a vibration which in turn breaks down a substance.
[1] Starch grain analysis through dental calculus can provide a plethora of information when it come to diet reconstruction of past societies.
"[1] In a study conducted by Tao et al., the research group followed the methods laid out by Piperno and Dillehay in 2008 and Li et al. in 2010.
First, starting on a slightly larger scale, the granule types such as simple, compound, or semi-compound, sizes, and shapes are observed.
Starch grains have been removed and identified from stone tools, ceramic sherds, organic materials, dental calculus, and sediments[10] and animal remains to determine diet and when humans began to exploit wild food varieties.
[10] Archaeological research focused on residue adhering to artifacts start at lower magnifications, commonly using a stereoscope.
For example; but all are generally under 100 micrometres in size, and are, therefore, best observed under compound microscopes equipped with various lighting conditions and magnifications from x200 to x800.
Archaeologists and researchers can consider four issues in classification of the plant(s) and its use(s): Starch granules retrieved from sediments are used to reconstruct the habitats associated with human land use.
[21] After the starch granules have been examined, the findings are then recorded and interpreted with respect to the research questions that are being investigated.
Artifacts collect starch granules and protect them from decay due to microorganisms, thus providing excellent conditions for long-term preservation.
Cooking pits, hearths, and ovens that may have come into contact with starchy material yield modified starches which can provide other insights.
Modified starch is only likely to be preserved under specific conditions, such as arid regions because of its susceptibility to organic decay.
