Structural basis for the low digestibility of starches recrystallized from side chains of amylopectin modified by amylosucrase to different chain lengths.

•The modified starches showed rapid and slow digestion phases.•The digestion did not change the B-type crystalline structure of the starches.•A loosely packed outer shell was found for the recrystallized starch particles.•Amorphous shell was rapidly digested during the initial 20 min digestion.•Interior amorphous and crystalline areas of the starches were evenly digested.