Physicochemical properties of rhizome starch from a traditional Chinese medicinal plant of Anemone altaica

► The rhizome of Anemone altaica is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. ► The rhizome had starch content of 49.8%, and starch contained 35.5% amylose. ► Starch grain was oval with central Maltese cross and average long axis of 6.25 μm. ► Starch had high swelling power and low gelatinization and pasting temperatures. ► B-type starch possessed high hydrolysis degrees of acid, PPA and AAG.