Corn starch granules with enhanced load-carrying capacity via citric acid treatment

► Starch load carrying capacity (LCC) was at least doubled by citric acid treatment. ► Recovery of granular starch after treatment was as high as 92% (low starch loss). ► Starch leaching from granules (enlargement of granule cavity spaces) enhanced LCC. ► Partial disruption of the native granule crystalline structure also enhanced LCC. ► Citric acid-treated starch is not equivalent to typical acid (HCl)-modified starch.