Modifying the Functionality of Starch Films with Natural Polymers

Abstract

The physical and chemical properties of composite starchbased films containing cellulosic fiber, chitosan, and gelatin were investigated. Films containing both cellulosic fibers and chitosan demonstrated tremendous enhancements in film strength and gas permeation. The water absorbency of composite films could be greatly reduced in film composites containing cellulosic fibers and gelatin, but the inclusion of chitosan into these films provided a higher hydrophilicity, increasing water absorbency. Film transparency was not noticeably affected in the composite films that were made. These films may have wide application in the food packaging, agricultural mulching, and the biomedical industries. 200

Super-Toughed PLA Blown Film with Enhanced Gas Barrier Property Available for Packaging and Agricultural Applications

“…Light transmittance is very important in agricultural film production. It directly affects the growth of plants because the photosynthesis of plants mainly absorbs visible light at the wavelength of 400–700 nm [21,22]. Figure 5 and Table 2 show that the obtained PLLA/DPD and PLLLA/DPD/PEG-10 films hold less transparency compared with highly transparent PLLA films.…”

Biopolymer‐Based Biomatrices – Organic Strategies to Combat Micronutrient Deficit for Dynamic Agronomy

“…Generally, the micronutrient concentration in plant dry matter is: boron (2-100 ppm, copper (5-20 ppm), iron (50-150 ppm), molybdenum (0.1-2 ppm), zinc (20-100 ppm), chlorine (0.2-2 %). And the critical levels of deficiency of various micronutrients in plants in India in mg Kg-1 dry matter are boron (20), copper (4 (3-10)), iron (50 (25-30)), molybdenum (0.1), zinc (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20), manganese (20 (10-30)).…”

“…The different functional groups affect the formation and degree of cross‐linking. Biopolymers are the greatest eye‐catchers for researchers as compared to synthetic polymers [4] as they are economical, low in toxicity, [5] bio‐degradable, [6] easily available, [7] biocompatible, [8] and are easily modifiable [9–10] . These traits not only safeguard our environment [11] but also enhance their applicability in oral drug delivery, [12] medicine, [13] tissue engineering, [14] wastewater treatment, [15] and the agricultural sector [16] .…”

“…Biopolymers are the greatest eye-catchers for researchers as compared to synthetic polymers [4] as they are economical, low in toxicity, [5] bio-degradable, [6] easily available, [7] biocompatible, [8] and are easily modifiable. [9][10] These traits not only safeguard our environment [11] but also enhance their applicability in oral drug delivery, [12] medicine, [13] tissue engineering, [14] wastewater treatment, [15] and the agricultural sector. [16] On the other hand, synthetic polymers usually employ non-renewable feedstock, may release toxins, and lead to environmental degradation.…”

Recent Advances in Edible Polymer Based Hydrogels as a Sustainable Alternative to Conventional Polymers

“…Polysaccharides like starch, pectins, cellulose ethers, carrageenan, and alginate were used for films formation which imparts compactness, adhesiveness, hardness, and thickening quality, while the lipid films could produce anaerobic conditions . The starch based films were physically similar to plastic in many orders like colorless, tasteless, odorless, biologically absorbable, resistant to oxygen, and semipermeable to carbon dioxide. − Addition of lipids to starch based films improves water vapor barriers because of its hydrophobicity, while cellulosic fibers and chitosan shows tremendous improvement of strength and gas permeation. , The addition of food additives like antimicrobials, antioxidants, flavors, fortified nutrients, and colorants to edible films or coatings improves its functionality and applicability. , Pranoto et al reported that addition of garlic oil (0.4% v/v) to alginate-based edible films improves its antimicrobial potential and other properties . Alginate based coating and films imparts better moisture retention, reduction in shrinkage, retard oxidation, improve product texture, color, juiciness, and odor in muscle food packaging .…”