Immunohistochemical staining was applied together with the multicolor fluorescent scheme to demonstrate the amylase activity for polysaccharide hydrolysis in stored or starved aerobic granules that are in substrate deficiency. If sufficient nutrients were present, alpha-amylase and beta-amylase were found close to the surface layer of the original granules. Following storage or starvation during which most external nutrients were depleted, the alpha-amylase and beta-amylase were distributed over the entire granule interior, suggesting endogenous respiration at the core of the granule. In particular, the fluorescent intensities of alpha-amylase and beta-amylase were enriched 5-20 A mu m from the edge of the internal cavity, suggesting the strong correlation between polysaccharide hydrolysis and the formation of interior cavities. The secreted amylase was located near the living cells, suggesting that the polysaccharide hydrolysis is restricted to local environment that occurs near the functional strains. Internal hydrolysis within the core, for the case of both proteins and polysaccharides should correspond in principle to the loss of granule stability.