Effect of surfactants on water barrier and physical properties of tapioca starch/decolorized hsian-tsao leaf gum films

The objective of this research is to enhance the water barrier properties of tapioca starch/dHG edible films by incorporating sucrose ester surfactants with different HLB values. The moisture sorption isotherms, mechanical properties, microstructure and optical character of the resulting films were examined as well. It was found that the water barrier property of starch/dHG films is promoted significantly by surfactants, alongside a decreasing tendency in tensile strength and tensile strain at break. Scanning electron micrographs of the starch/dHG/surfactant composite films revealed the folded (multi-layer) microstructure in contrast to the homogeneous matrix of the control films. Starch/dHG/surfactant composite films show low opacity values. With increasing HLB value of the surfactant, the water vapor permeability and tensile strength of starch/dHG/surfactant composite films decrease. Moreover, the water vapor permeability, tensile strength, strain at break, and equilibrium moisture content of starch/dHG/surfactant composite films decrease when the surfactant content is increased, accompanied by an increasing tendency in opacity value. On the other hand, starch/dHG composite film with an emulsion of surfactant and beeswax shows a lower mechanical strength and significantly higher opacity value with less improvement in water vapor permeability.     

Rheological and physical characterization of film-forming solutions and edible films from tapioca starch/decolorized hsian-tsao leaf gum

Rheological properties of the film-forming solutions of tapioca starch/decolorized hsian-tsao leaf gum (dHG) as well as the structural properties and viscoelasticity of the resulting films were characterized as a function of dHG and glycerol concentrations. As compared to film-forming solutions with tapioca starch alone, the apparent viscosity, storage modulus and loss modulus of starch/dHG film-forming solutions increased, and tan δ decreased with increasing dHG. After casting of the film-forming solutions, all starch/dHG films showed relatively low opacity values. SEM and X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that all starch/dHG films exhibited homogeneous and highly amorphous structure. The extensional creep compliance of starch/dHG films increased with increasing glycerol concentration, implying weaker mechanical strength and higher mobility of polymer chains by the plasticizing effect of glycerol. However, addition of dHG pronouncedly increased the mechanical and elastic properties of tapioca starch films as evidenced by a decrease in extensional creep compliance and retardation time. Such results implied that dHG may possibly modify the network structure of tapioca starch film.     

Mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of tapioca starch/decolorized hsian-tsao leaf gum films in the presence of plasticizer

The objectives of this research were to examine the mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of the starch/decolorized hsian-tsao leaf gum (dHG) films as a function of dHG and glycerol concentration. Edible film-forming solutions were prepared by mixing tapioca starch with dHG at different starch/dHG ratios to make a total solid content of 2%. In total, 15–40% glycerol was then added based on the dry film matter. Starch/dHG films were obtained by casting. It was found that the puncture strength, tensile strength, and modulus as well as the inverse of relaxation coefficient of starch/dHG films pronouncedly increased with increasing dHG, accompanied with a decreasing tendency in puncture deformation and tensile strain at break. Such results implied that starch interacted with dHG synergistically, resulting in the formation of a new network to improve the mechanical properties of tapioca starch/dHG films. Mechanical strengths of starch/dHG films decreased and water vapor permeability (WVP) at 75% RH increased with increasing glycerol concentration. However, the plasticizing effect of glycerol became less significant at high dHG concentration, particularly for the puncture deformation and tensile strain at break of the films. Water sorption isotherm results indicated that significant water sorption would only occur at high water activity (about 0.75), and generally became more pronounced with increasing glycerol and dHG concentration, but to a lesser extent for the latter. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that the major glass transition of starch/dHG films occurred at about −50 °C.     

Water vapour barrier and tensile properties of composite caseinate-pullulan films: Biopolymer composition effects and impact of beeswax lamination

The water sorption, water barrier properties and mechanical behaviour of pullulan (P) and sodium caseinate (SC), as well as their blend and bilayer films plasticized with sorbitol (25% dry basis), were investigated as a function of weight polymer ratio, water content and beeswax lamination. Very similar moisture sorption isotherms were obtained for blend and bilayer films with P/SC weight ratio of 1/3 and 3/1. Neither the type of film (blend or bilayer) nor the different P/SC ratio affected significantly (P > 0.05) the water vapour permeability (WVP) of the films. A mixture-process variable experimental design was applied to evaluate the effect of the proportion of the two polymers in relation with the relative humidity (RH, 53% and 75%) on the mechanical properties of the films. Increasing the P/SC ratio decreased the Young’s modulus (E), the tensile strength (σ_max) and increased the % elongation at break (% EB), suggesting that P imparts flexibility and SC stiffness to the composite films. With moisture content increase from 5% to 8% most of the films exhibited an increase in E and σ_max, whereas a sharp decline in both parameters and an increase in % EB were observed above this moisture level. The brittle to ductile transition of P coincided with its glass to rubber transition, whereas SC exhibited a ductile behaviour within the glassy state. The tensile characteristics of bilayer films at moisture content greater than 8% were dominated by the component present in higher proportion, while films made with the biopolymer blends showed mechanical behaviour closer to that of plain P films. Beeswax lamination of plain, bilayer and blend films resulted in a drastic decrease in water vapour permeance, whereas its effect on E and σ_max and in % EB was related to the mechanical properties of the hydrocolloid layers used and varied according to the moisture content of the films.     

Rheological/textural properties of starch and crude hsian‐tsao leaf gum mixed systems

The Effects of hsian‐tsao leaf gum (HG) on the rheological/textural properties of non‐waxy starches were studied. Pronounced interactions between starch and HG were observed. The rheological properties, including pseudo‐gel viscosity in the rapid visco‐analyser test, storage and loss moduli in the dynamic rheological test, as well as firmness in the texture analyser test, of the mixed gels generally improved with increasing gum concentration to a certain level, then deteriorated with further increase in gum concentration. The critical gum concentration for the development of optimal rheological properties depended on the starch type and concentration. Within the concentration range studied, mixed systems with wheat starch could generally reach the highest pseudo‐gel viscosity, firmness, and storage modulus if the starch/HG ratio was appropriate, followed by those with corn and tapioca starch. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Mechanical properties of pea starch films associated with xanthan gum and glycerol

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of xanthan gum and glycerol to the starch of green pea with high content of AM (cv. Utrillo) in the preparation of films and their physical characteristics. Filmogenic solution (FS) with different levels of pea starch (3, 4, and 5%), xanthan gum (0, 0.05, and 0.1%), and glycerol (glycerol–starch ratio of 1:5 w/w) were studied. The FS was obtained by boiling (5 min), followed by autoclaving for 1 h at 120°C. The films were prepared by casting. Films prepared only with pea starch were mechanically resistant when compared to other films, prepared with corn, cassava, rice, and even other pea cultivars (yellow, commercial). The tensile strength of these films is comparable to synthetic films prepared with high‐density polyethylene and linear low‐density polyethylene. However, they are films of low elasticity when compared to other films, such as rice starch films, and especially when compared to polyethylene films. The increased concentration of starch in the solution increased the puncture force. The increased concentration of glycerol slightly decreased the film crystallinity and interfered in the mechanical properties of the films, causing reduction of the maximum values of tensile strength, strain at break, and puncture force. The plasticizer also caused an increase of elongation at break. Xanthan gum was important to formation of films; however, it did not affect their mechanical properties.     

果胶/黄原胶共混膜的制备工艺优化与表征

为了改善果胶膜的性能,拓宽果胶的应用领域,采用果胶与黄原胶共混,制备果胶-黄原胶共混膜。探讨了果胶与黄原胶质量比、甘油添加量、氯化钙浓度因素对共混膜吸水率、溶出率、拉伸强度、水蒸气透过率、吸湿率、保湿率、断裂伸长率等性能的影响,以确定共混膜的最佳制备工艺。并利用红外光谱、X-射线衍射、扫描电镜表征共混膜的结构。结果表明:果胶和黄原胶之间发生了较强的相互作用,黄原胶的加入增强了膜的结晶度。果胶和黄原胶质量比例为9∶1、甘油添加量为0.5 m L、氯化钙添加量为2%是制膜的最优工艺条件,此时膜的吸水率为231.03%,保湿率为84.41%,拉伸强度为59.850 MPa,水蒸气透过率为7.428×10（-3） g·m^-1·K·Pa^-1·d^-1。      

Preparation of resistant starch from starch–guar gum extrudates and their properties

Mixtures of starch, guar gum and citric acid were extruded at a temperature of 150 °C and screw speed of 180 rpm. Properties of the extrudates such as bulk density, expansion ratio, apparent viscosity and resistant starch content were measured with different concentrations of guar gum. Extrusion with citric acid influenced the physical properties and resistant starch content of the extrudate. Expansion ratios were lower for samples extruded with citric acid, and decreased as starch–gum concentration increased. The apparent viscosity of the extrudate increased with increasing guar gum concentration; however, citric acid at 2.0% concentration was found to lower the viscosity of the extrudate. Resistant starch content increased from 6.23% for extruded starch only to 14.21% for starch–gum extrudate, and further enhanced to 16.19% with the addition of 2.0% citric acid to the starch–gum extrudate. Resistant starch increased with increase of gum concentration and decreased with increase of starch–gum concentration from 7.5% to 12.5%.     

玉米淀粉与黄原胶复配体系糊化及回生特性的研究

本文研究了玉米淀粉与黄原胶复配体系的糊化和回生特性。RVA糊化实验表明黄原胶降低了玉米淀粉的成糊温度,并随着黄原胶在复配体系中的比例逐渐增加,其复配体系的峰值黏度和终值黏度均显著增加(p<0.05),崩解值和回生值降低(p<0.05)。热稳定性实验表明加入黄原胶后的复配体系在95℃之后的高温下可以较长时间维持体系的黏度,具有良好的热稳定性。凝沉性实验表明黄原胶可以降低玉米淀粉的凝沉作用,当m(玉米淀粉)∶m(黄原胶)为9∶1时复配体系凝沉作用最小,在120h后仍无明显上清液析出。冻融稳定性实验表明黄原胶能抑制复配体系的回生,提高其冻融稳定性。      

Tensile and water barrier properties of cassava starch composite films reinforced by synthetic zeolite and beidellite

Composites films were prepared by the casting method using native cassava starch plasticized with glycerol and 3D or 2D synthetic fillers i.e. Beta zeolite and Na-beidellite type 2:1 phyllosilicate. Special attention was paid to the effect of the filler contents and type on the mechanical and barrier properties. It was shown that films reinforced with lyophilized Beta zeolite presented both high water solubility (WS) and water vapor permeability (WVP) values than the pristine starch whereas an improvement on the WVP was found for composites prepared from Na-beidellite or from non lyophilized Beta zeolite. For the two types of fillers, a drastic increase of the mechanical properties (especially in the Young’s modulus) was observed.     

Antimicrobial activity and physical properties of chitosan–tapioca starch based edible films and coatings

Antimicrobial activity of edible coating solutions based on chitosan and blends of chitosan–tapioca starch with or without potassium sorbate (KS) addition was studied. The agar well diffusion assay showed an antagonist effect on the efficiency of chitosan against Lactobacillus spp. when KS and/or tapioca starch were present. A salmon slice coating assay showed that the chitosan solution was the best coating since aerobic mesophilic and psychrophilic cell counts were reduced, pH and weight loss remained acceptable throughout refrigerated storage, extending global quality to 6-days. Chitosan–tapioca starch based films reduced Zygosaccharomyces bailii external spoilage in a semisolid product but were not effective against Lactobacillus spp. The results suggest that antibacterial action depended on the application technique, due to the fact that chitosan is more available in a coating solution than in a film matrix. Interactions between chitosan–starch and/or KS could affect film physical properties and the antimicrobial activity of chitosan. The addition of chitosan reduced water vapor permeability and solubility of starch films.     

Preparation and properties of starch nanocrystals/carboxymethyl chitosan nanocomposite films

Waxy maize starch was hydrolyzed with sulfuric acid in aqueous solution. The remaining starch granules after acid hydrolysis were characterized by TEM and wide‐angle XRD. Starch nanocrystals with size between 40 to 80 nm and relative crystallinity of 63% were obtained after 6 days of hydrolysis. Starch nanocrystals/carboxymethyl chitosan composite films were prepared by casting‐evaporation method. When the starch nanocrystals content was below 30 wt%, the filler dispersed uniformly in the carboxymethyl chitosan matrix, whereas aggregation of starch nanocrystals and phase separation between aggregates and matrix were observed when the starch nanocrystals content was higher than 30 wt%. The maximum tensile strength (TS) of composite films approached ∼29 MPa, which was two times higher than that of the carboxymethyl chitosan film without filling starch nanocrystals. The percentage elongation at break (EB%) of nanocomposite films decreased with the increasing of the starch nanocrystals content. The water absorption and water vapor barrier property of carboxymethyl chitosan film were significantly improved by adding starch nanocrystals.     

Physical properties of edible modified starch/carboxymethyl cellulose films

Novel modified starch/carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) composite films were prepared by a casting method. The effects of CMC addition on the some physical properties of the resulted blend films were investigated. The blend film composed of 15% W/W CMC /starch, showed the lowest water vapor permeability (WVP) value (2.34 × 10⁻⁷ g/m^.h^.Pa).The moisture absorption and solubility in water properties of the blend films exhibited similar trends. The addition of CMC at the level of 20% W/W starch caused an increase in the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) by more than 59% in comparison to the pure starch film without any significant decrease in the strain to break (SB). The measurement of color values showed that by the increasing of the CMC content in polymer matrix, the b values (yellowness), YI and ∆E of the blend films decreased and the L values (Lightness) and WI index increased.

Industrial relevance

Ecological concerns have resulted in a renewed interest in natural and compostable materials, and therefore issues such as biodegradability and environmental safety are becoming important. Tailoring new products within a perspective of sustainable development or eco-design, is a philosophy that is applied to more and more materials. It is the reason why material components such as natural fibres, biodegradable polymers can be considered as interesting – environmentally safe – alternatives for the development of new biodegradable composites.Development of biodegradable materials based on starch has become a very attractive option and production of starch based plastic are gradually obtained considerable concern in the world.In this research, improvement of starch film properties is investigated.     

Combined effect of plasticizers and surfactants on the physical properties of starch based edible films

Films made of potato starch were developed and glycerol as plasticizer and Tween 20, Span 80, and soy lecithin as surfactants were included in the formulation. Films were characterized with respect to water vapor permeability (WVP) and mechanical properties. The wettability of the film solutions was quantified by measuring their surface tension.The incorporation of plasticizers resulted in more flexible and manageable films and higher WVP. At low concentration, Tween 20 was the surfactant that reduced surface tension the most, while at high concentration it was lecithin. In the absence of glycerol, surfactants had a significant effect on mechanical properties, but they did not modify significantly WVP of the films. It was observed a synergistic behavior between the plasticizer and the surfactants. Films with glycerol and high level of any of the surfactants behaved as films with larger amount of plasticizer (with lower tensile strength, higher elongation, and higher WVP). Tween 20 was the surfactant that showed the most intense synergistic effect with glycerol.     

Antimicrobial and physical properties of sweet potato starch films incorporated with potassium sorbate or chitosan

Antimicrobial biodegradable films have been prepared with sweet potato starch by incorporating potassium sorbate or chitosan. Films incorporated with potassium sorbate ≥ 15% or chitosan ≥ 5% were found to have an anti-Escherichia coli effect. Staphylococcus aureus could be effectively suppressed by incorporation of chitosan at ≥10%. Whereas potassium sorbate lowers the tensile strength and elongation at break, and raises the oxygen permeability, water vapor permeability and water solubility, chitosan has the opposite effect. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectra analysis revealed that starch crystallinity was retarded by potassium sorbate incorporation and that hydrogen bonds were formed between chitosan and starch. This explained the modification of the mechanical and physical properties of the films by the incorporation of these two antimicrobial agents.     

Dynamic rheology of structural development in starch/decolourised hsian‐tsao leaf gum composite systems

The gelling process of decolourised hsian‐tsao leaf gum (dHG)/starch mixtures was monitored as a function of starch/gum ratio and starch type using a dynamic rheometer. It was found that the gelling process followed first‐order kinetics. At starch/gum ratios of 5:1, 4:2 and 3:3, dHG interacted with starch synergistically, resulting in a marked increase in storage modulus (G′). Both the gelling reaction rate constant and plateau G′ value as a function of starch/dHG ratio showed a maximum at a certain starch/gum ratio. These results indicated that a suitable starch/dHG ratio could facilitate the formation of a three‐dimensional network structure and the conversion of chains in the sol fraction into a gel. The maximum G′ value reached depended on the unique chemistry of each starch. Mixed systems with tapioca starch generally showed lower plateau G′ values than mixed systems with wheat or corn starch, possibly owing to the lower amylose content of tapioca starch. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

瓜尔胶和黄原胶对马铃薯淀粉糊化特性影响的比较研究

将马铃薯淀粉分别与瓜尔胶和黄原胶以一定的比例复配,探讨两种胶体对马铃薯淀粉黏度、热稳定性、凝沉性、冻融稳定性和质构特性等糊化特性的影响。结果表明:瓜尔胶提高了淀粉糊的黏度和冻融稳定性,降低了淀粉糊的热稳定性、凝沉性、硬度、黏附性、胶黏性和咀嚼性;而黄原胶增加了淀粉糊的热稳定性和冻融稳定性,但降低了糊的黏度、凝沉性、硬度、黏附性、胶黏性和咀嚼性;且随着两种胶体含量的不同淀粉糊化特性也不同。