Stability of Film-Forming Dispersions: Affects the Morphology and Optical Properties of Polymeric Films

Abstract

Starch-based films are promising alternatives to synthetic films in food packaging. They were widely studied in terms of mechanical and optical properties. In food packaging, optical properties are of great interest because ultra violet (UV-light) protection is strictly required. Nevertheless, the characterization of film-forming dispersions was poorly addressed, especially regarding its correlation with the film produced. In this work, we characterized film-forming dispersions at different compositions of starch and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) by Turbiscan. This instrument is based on multiple light scattering and gives significant information about the miscibility of polymers in the dispersed phase. Indeed, it identifies the phenomena of destabilization and phase separation before their visibility to the unaided eye. This work aimed to study whether the homogeneous/inhomogeneous morphology of films could be forecast by the analysis of profiles obtained in the dispersed phase. The films produced were investigated by optical microscopy and absorbance analysis. As the CMC fraction increased, Turbiscan showed reduced phase separation. This implies better miscibility of mixture components and higher gelification degree. The related film was more homogeneous and presented higher UV absorbance. Consequently, film-forming dispersions and optical properties of films are strictly correlated and Turbiscan-based analysis is very useful to investigate the dispersion stability and predict the film quality.

Tremella polysaccharides-coated zein nanoparticles for enhancing stability and bioaccessibility of curcumin

“…In this study, the Turbiscan equipment (developed by Formulaction, Smart Scientific Analysis, France) was used to evaluate the physical stability of the zein NPs and zein/TP NPs dispersions. The Turbiscan instrument, based on multiple light scattering, can calculate the stability index (TSI, Turbiscan Stability Index) of dispersions to investigate the destabilization phenomenon ( De Paola et al, 2021 ; Nastaj et al, 2020 ). The TSI is calculated directly from the raw data acquired by the instrument: BS (backscattering) and T (transmission) signals.…”

Formulation, Characterization and Optimization of β–Glucan and Pomegranate Juice Based Films for Its Potential in Diabetes

“…Besides the consumer acceptability, the opacity of the films has a direct impact on the appearance of the coated products. A high degree of transparency is better, but an increase in opacity helps to enhanceof the shelf life of packaged products [ 56 ].…”

Current Research and Applications of Starch-Based Biodegradable Films for Food Packaging

“…These have been studied in terms of their mechanical and optical properties. At this point, the stability of biodegradable films is determined by the evaluation of the zeta potential, regarding the charges of the polymer chain that affect aggregation and consequently the microstructural network [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Generally, biodegradable films are mostly characterized from a mechanical and optical point of view.…”