Improvement of starch films for food packaging through a three-principle approach: Antioxidants, cross-linking and reinforcement. (15th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Menzel, Carolin
• Is Part Of: Carbohydrate polymers. Volume 250(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12-15
• Subjects: Potato starch -- Citric acid -- Molecular weight -- DPPH radical scavenging assay -- Compression molding -- Molar mass distribution -- Crystallinity; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 547.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116828
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8617

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Sunflower hulls as renewable source of cellulose fibers and antioxidant compounds. Enhanced antioxidant activity of films through citric acid addition. Starch chain-length distribution shows cross-linking between starch and citric acid. Reinforcement of starch films through cellulose fibers. Abstract: This study uses sunflower hulls, a by-product from the sunflower snack industry, to recover both, valuable phenolic compounds and cellulose fibers, for the production of antioxidant reinforced starch films as potential food packaging material. The phenolic extract provided antioxidant properties to the films with EC50 values of 89 mg film/mg DPPH. The cellulose fibers reinforced the starch films with a threefold increase in Young´s modulus. Furthermore, citric acid was added to induce cross-linking of the starch polymers and improve film integrity. The addition of citric acid induced both, starch polymer hydrolysis and cross-linking, seen in a shift in chain-length distribution after debranching with iso-amylase. This is the first study that focuses on a three-principle approach to improve edible starch films, and follows UN goals on sustainability to reduce waste and increase value in by-products as a step forward to functionalize packaging material.