Changes in wheat micro structure following in vitro digestion

A three‐step digestion simulation model was used to study the effects of monogastric digestive enzymes and exogenous microbial enzymes on the microstructure of wheat. Sections were stained for cell wall polysaccharides, protein, starch and phytate. Bright field and fluorescence microscopy was used to study the microstructural changes following each step of the digestion process. Starchy endosperm protein was not detected after the pepsin step, although aleurone protein was largely unaffected. After pancreatin treatment, starch had also disappeared. Xylanase decreased the fluorescence of the aleurone protein and collapsed the cell walls in the subaleurone. Unbroken cell walls of the aleurone and endosperm were not influenced by any of the treatments.