Caracterización nanoscópica de la estructura superficial de los pétalos de Begonia consobrina y Begonia micranthera

Abstract

Evolution in nature has created nanostructures to achieve results that can potentially be copied through nanotechnology. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) provides a better understanding of biological functions, structures and macroscopic phenomena of some samples by characterising their surface nanostructure. In the present study, it was explored the nanoscopic surface topography of Begonia consobrina and Begonia micranthera by means of the AFM in tapping mode. Periodicity and roughness of the topographic images obtained with the AFM were analysed. Finally, the contact angles of a drop of liquid water on the surface of Begonia measurements were correlated to the nanoscopic topography of their surfaces. Both, B. consobrina and B. micranthera, presented a range of contact angles from 77.8 to 86.12 degrees, and from 53.26 to 88.05 degrees, respectively. The measured angles correspond to hydrophilic surfaces. Measured contact angles could be related to the nanoscopic topography of the petal surfaces recorded, asymmetric surfaces, indicating a flat structure with small peaks and valleys, and higher periodicity were observed in B. consobrina.