Enhancement of polylactic acid films properties by incorporation of starch nanocrystals

Abstract

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer used in films production; however, it has some limitations. Thus, strategies can be used to improve the characteristics of these materials such as the incorporation of starch nanocrystals (SNCs). Therefore, the aim of this study was to add potato and rice SNCs in PLA matrix in the melt to obtain PLA films with structural reinforcement to improve its properties. The SNCs were produced by acid hydrolysis and incorporated to the matrix in 0.5 and 1 wt% amounts. The films were then produced by bioriented tubular extrusion and characterized with several techniques. Films containing 1 wt% of potato SNCs showed an increase in tensile strength, elongation, and glass transition temperature, but a reduction in water vapor permeability. Therefore, the use of potato SNCs as a structural reinforcement for PLA films improved the properties of the films making them suitable candidates for several other applications.

The influence of cinnamon and litsea cubeba essential oils on methylcellulose films

“…Research involving the production and characterization of packaging using natural and biodegradable polymeric films has increased significantly due to the interest in minimizing the ecological impact caused by the use of synthetic materials. 1 Biodegradable polymers have been considered attractive alternatives to plastic packaging due to their excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility. Several biodegradable polymers have been explored to develop food packaging materials through film production, mainly polysaccharides such as starches, pectin, cellulose, chitosan, and alginate.…”