New insights on the mechanism of acid degradation of pea starch

► Acid hydrolysis of pea starch granules was investigated using SAXS, XRD and SEM. ► The mechanism of acid attack provided new insights into the organization of starch granules. ► Amylose and amylopectin are exposed on the surface of the granules and attacked during the initial stages of hydrolysis. ► Amylose is more concentrated at the core of the granules.