In vitro digestibility and changes in physicochemical and structural properties of common buckwheat starch affected by high hydrostatic pressure

•Effect of pressure on digestibility of common buckwheat starch (CBS) was studied.•High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) significantly increased amylose content in CBS.•HHP significantly decreased rapidly digested starch, starch hydrolysis and viscosity.•HHP elevated slowly digested starch, resistant starch and improved thermostability.•HHP also significantly decreased the textural properties of CBS. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP), a non-thermal processing technology, was applied at 120, 240, 360, 480, and 600MPa to assess its effect on the in vitro digestibility, physicochemical, and structural properties of common buckwheat starch (CBS). HHP treatment resulted in CBS granules with more rough surfaces. With the increasing pressure level, amylose content, pasting temperature, and thermal stability substantially increased and relative crystallinity, hardness, swelling power, and viscosity decreased. At 120–480MPa, HHP did not affect the ‘A’-type crystalline pattern of CBS. However, at 600MPa, HHP contributed to a similar ‘B’-type pattern. Compared with native starch, HHP-modified CBS samples had lower in vitro hydrolysis, reduced content of rapidly digestible starch, and increased levels of slowly digestible starch and resistant starch. These results revealed that the in vitro digestibility, physicochemical, and structural properties of CBS are effectively modified by HHP.