Effect of native starch granule size on susceptibility to amylase hydrolysis

The dimensions of native starch granules are critical with respect to controlling digestion by amylase. In general, small starch granules are digested faster than large granules. This mini review considers how the surface area to volume ratio of unprocessed starch granules controls amylase access to the α-glucans and the consequence in terms of ease of depolymerisation. This article is one of three mini reviews considering how native starch granule hydrolysis is regulated by (i) size, (ii) composition, (iii) annealing and heat–moisture treatments.