Physical modification on the in vitro digestibility of Tartary buckwheat starch: Repeated retrogradation under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions

The effects of repeated retrogradation (RR, range from 1 to 3 times) at different temperatures (4 °C; 4/25 °C, with a 24 h interval; 25 °C) on the in vitro digestibility and structures of Tartary buckwheat starch (TS) were investigated in this study. Results demonstrated that TS treated by RR for 1 time under 4/25 °C contained the maximum content of slowly digestible starch (SDS, 35.25%); TS treated by RR for 3 times under 25 °C contained the maximum content of resistant starch (RS, 54.92%). As the increase of RR cycle times, the value of relative crystallinity, the ratios of 1047/1022 cm−1 and 995/1022 cm−1 increased, the starch pore wall thickened, and more smooth fragments appeared (observed by scanning electron microscope), while the value of melting temperature range trended to decrease. The crystallization type of TS changed from type “A” to a mixture of “B + V” after retrogradation treatment. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the content of rapidly digestible starch (RDS) was negatively correlated with the ratio of 995/1022 cm−1, transition temperatures, and enthalpy (P < 0.05). These results would supply a potential method for the preparation of starch with slow-digesting properties, also improve the utilization and expand the application of TS.