Molecular, mesoscopic and microscopic structure evolution during amylase digestion of maize starch granules

► Maize starch granules (27-84% amylose) are amylase digested by similar mechanisms. ► Granule architecture is the rate-controlling factor irrespective of amylose content. ► Amylopectin branch length distributions are largely preserved during digestion. ► Crystalline and lamella structures are only changed to a limited extent during digestion.