Grant, Colin A.Twigg, Peter C.Bell, G.Lu, J.R.2014-04-282014-04-282008Grant, C., Twigg, P., Bell, G., Lu, J. R. (2008) AFM relative stiffness measurement of the plasticising effect of a non-ionic surfactant on plant leaf wax. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 321(2), 360-364.90005360http://hdl.handle.net/10454/5994An AFM relative stiffness technique was applied to reconstituted Beta vulgaris L. wax films. Consecutive force arrays (n=100) made on the waxy surface at the same locations showed that there was no relative change in surface elasticity and this information was used as a reference to further experimental measurements. A surfactant solution was subsequently dropped on the waxy surface and the same array of indents was made at the same location as the reference test. The plant wax surface showed a reduction in its surface elasticity properties. The study has demonstrated that the AFM technique could be used to undertake a systematic assessment of the plasticising effects of agrochemicals on native and reconstituted plant wax films.Beta vulgaris; ChemistryElasticityMicroscopy; Atomic ForcePlant leavesPlasticizersSurface propertiesSurface-active agentsWaxesREF 2014Articlehttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2008.02.019