Effect of Plasticizer Type and Concentration on Tensile, Thermal and Barrier Properties of Biodegradable Films Based on Sugar Palm (Arenga pinnata) Starch

Abstract

The use of starch based films as a potential alternative choice to petroleum derived plastics is imperative for environmental waste management. This study presents a new biopolymer (sugar palm starch) for the preparation of biodegradable packaging films using a solution casting technique. The effect of different plasticizer types (glycerol (G), sorbitol (S) and glycerol-sorbitol (GS) combination) with varying concentrations (0, 15, 30 and 45, w/w%) on the tensile, thermal and barrier properties of sugar palm starch (SPS) films was evaluated. Regardless of plasticizer types, the tensile strength of plasticized SPS films decreased, whereas their elongation at break (E%) increased as the plasticizer concentrations were raised. However, the E% for G and GS-plasticized films significantly decreased at a higher plasticizer concentration (45% w/w) due to the anti-plasticization effect , irrespective of plasticizer types. Overall, the current study manifested that plasticized sugar palm starch can be regarded as a promising biopolymer for biodegradable films.

Preparation and Characterization of Corn Starch and Lignosulfonate Blend Film with a High Content of Lignosulfonate

“…The maximum weight loss between 280 and 360 °C was ascribed to the decomposition of starch and volatilization of sorbitol, as previously reported (Muhammed et al 2015). For the blend films, the temperature corresponding to the maximum rate of weight loss was lower than that of the starch film.…”

Physical and mechanical properties of modified bacterial cellulose composite films

“…This parameter (E%) helps to determine the flexibility and stretchability of films. The desired flexibility of biopackaging films depends on their intended application and subsequent transportation, handling and storage of packaged foods [18]. Effect of glycerol, sorbitol, and CMC at an equal concentration on mechanical properties of BC-based films was compared ( Table 3).…”

“…However, among these two plasticizers, glycerol has higher efficiency in plasticizing BC-based films than sorbitol as shown in higher reduction in tensile strength for BC/Gly films than that of BC/Sor films. This tendency can be ascribed to the smaller molar mass of glycerol (92.0928 g/mol) and sorbitol (182 g/mol) which facilitate easy interaction between glycerol-starch molecular chains [18]. …”

Mechanical and microstructural properties of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata Merr.) starch film: Effect of aging

“…The presence of plasticizer at a lower concentration of 20% demonstrated high tensile strength value. The possible reason for the high tensile strength at low plasticizer concentration is the domination of strong hydrogen bonds produced by starch-starch intermolecular interaction over starch-plasticizer attraction [15]. However, the addition of plasticizers from 20% to 50% caused a significant reduction in the tensile strength of fresh films.…”

“…Moreover, sugar palm starch is also a potential biopolymer material for making biodegradable films [13][14][15]. According to Adawiyah et al [13], arenga (sugar palm) starch was more appropriate for producing starch gels or starch doughs than sago starch because it forms a firmer, more resistant gel at concentrations above the gel point.…”