In vitro Digestibility of Hydroxypropyl Maize, Waxy Maize and High Amylose Maize Starches

Hydroxypropyl derivatives of maize, waxy maize and high amylose maize starches were prepared and characterized. The in vitro digestibility of the raw and gelatinized starches and their derivatives was compared using porcine pancreatic α‐amylase. Digestibility of the unmodified starches decreased in the order waxy maize > maize > high amylose maize. Increasing molar substitution (MS) caused a decrease in digestibility for all starch types after gelatinization. Raw maize and high amylose maize starch derivatives showed an initial decrease in digestibility followed by increases at higher MS levels. The digestibility of the raw waxy maize starch derivatives showed a continuing drop as MS increased.