Regarding the growing interest in
the development of biodegradable
films from renewable sources, this work is focused on the utilization
of cassava roots bagasse as a natural filler of cassava starch films.
Homogenous films could be obtained by casting molding from gelatinized
cassava starch suspensions, plasticized with glycerol and containing
1.5% w/w bagasse. In order to study the particle size effect on films
properties, three different fibrous residue fractions (particles sized
between 500–250, 250–53, and particles <53 μm)
were used and compared to films reinforced with bagasse particles
sized under 500 μm. Chemical composition and particle size distribution
of cassava bagasse helped to explain the starch films morphology and
mechanical and barrier properties modifications. SEM micrographs evidenced
that the filler was structurally incorporated in the matrix, reinforcing
cassava–starch matrices regardless of bagasse particle size.
The filler increased the UV-barrier capacity and opacity of the materials,
though water vapor permeability increased with solids content and
filler particle size. Moreover, the developed biocomposite materials
can be heat-sealed, indicating their suitability for flexible packaging
manufacture. Even though starch-based materials are essentially biodegradable,
the biodegradation kinetics of the reinforced biocomposites was studied
showing the slowest degradation process for materials with larger
filler particles.