Insight into the biphasic transition of heat-moisture treated waxy maize starch through controlled gelatinization

•A combined analysis of thermal and pasting properties was used.•Starch gelatinization changed from single-phasic to biphasic endotherm by HMT.•A crystallite stability hypothesis was developed for HMT starch biphasic transition.•HMT enhanced the helical structures located in granule periphery.