Evaluation of the Antimicrobial, Thermal, Mechanical, and Barrier Properties of Corn Starch–Chitosan Biodegradable Films Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals

Abstract

Packaging materials play an essential role in the preservation and marketing of food and other products. To improve their conservation capacity, antimicrobial agents that inhibit bacterial growth are used. Biopolymers such as starch and chitosan are a sustainable alternative for the generation of films for packaging that can also serve as a support for preservatives and antimicrobial agents. These substances can replace packaging of synthetic origin and maintain good functional properties to ensure the quality of food products. Films based on a mixture of corn starch and chitosan were developed by the casting method and the effect of incorporating cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) at different concentrations (0 to 10% w/w) was studied. The effect of the incorporation of CNC on the rheological, mechanical, thermal and barrier properties, as well as the antimicrobial activity of nanocomposite films, was evaluated. A significant modification of the functional and antimicrobial properties of the starch–chitosan films was observed with an increase in the concentration of nanomaterials. The films with CNC in a range of 0.5 to 5% presented the best performance. In line with the physicochemical characteristics which are desired in antimicrobial materials, this study can serve as a guide for the development this type of packaging for food use.

Multifunctional montmorillonite/polyhydroxy butyrate composites using surfactant structure modulation strategy for packaging applications

“…Additionally, the additional fillers alter the matrix's surface morphology and cause the composite film's surface to become rougher, which raises the film's contact angle 16,23,47 . This matches the outcomes of the earlier tests that were conducted on oxygen and water permeability 15,48–50 …”

“…16,23,47 This matches the outcomes of the earlier tests that were conducted on oxygen and water permeability. 15,[48][49][50] The sample mobility, expressed in milligrams/contact surface area (mg/dm 2 ), is displayed in the Table 1 along with the total migration values obtained for the laminated films. These results are compared to the total migration limits (OML) established by EU Regulation 10/2011, which specifies the maximum amount of non-volatile substances that can migrate from food packaging materials or food containers into food.…”

Effect of Inlet Air Temperature and Quinoa Starch/Gum Arabic Ratio on Nanoencapsulation of Bioactive Compounds from Andean Potato Cultivars by Spray-Drying

“…A total of 2 mg of the nanocapsules were employed for conducting the differential scanning calorimetry analysis (DSC2500, TA Instruments, New Castle, DE, USA). The temperature range extended from 0 to 250 • C, with a heating rate of 10 degrees per minute, and the procedure took place in a nitrogen-rich environment [47,100].…”

Improvements of thermal and mechanical properties of achira starch/chitosan/clay nanocomposite films

“…Several studies have shown that the use of nanometric-sized reinforcements allows a better cost-benefit ratio, as minimal amounts (>1%) are required to achieve high functionality and/or performance in the material, supported by the matrix-reinforcement interaction. Among these nano additives, metallic nanoparticles [ 10 ], nanofibers [ 11 , 12 ] and nanoclays [ 13 , 14 ]. An important parameter that can define the properties of biobased materials is the method of preparation and incorporation of the additives [ 15 ].…”