Abstract
Background
Cassava starch, the economically important agricultural commodity in Thailand, can readily be cast into films. However, the cassava starch film is brittle and weak, leading to inadequate mechanical properties. The properties of starch film can be improved by adding plasticizers and blending with the other biopolymers.
Results
Cassava starch (5%w/v) based films plasticized with glycerol (30 g/100 g starch) were characterized with respect to the effect of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%w/w total solid) and relative humidity (34 and 54%RH) on the mechanical properties of the films. Additionally, intermolecular interactions were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), melting temperature by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Water solubility of the films was also determined. Increasing concentration of CMC increased tensile strength, reduced elongation at break, and decreased water solubility of the blended films. FT-IR spectra indicated intermolecular interactions between cassava starch and CMC in blended films by shifting of carboxyl (C = O) and OH groups. DSC thermograms and SEM micrographs confirmed homogeneity of cassava starch-CMC films.
Conclusion
The addition of CMC to the cassava starch films increased tensile strength and reduced elongation at break of the blended films. This was ascribed to the good interaction between cassava starch and CMC. Cassava starch-CMC composite films have the potential to replace conventional packaging, and the films developed in this work are suggested to be suitable for low moisture food and pharmaceutical products.
Date of this Version
2-10-2011
DOI
10.1186/1752-153X-5-6
Recommended Citation
Tongdeesoontorn, Wirongrong; Mauer, Lisa J.; Wongruong, Sasitorn; Sriburi, Pensiri; and Rachtanapun, Pornchai, "Effect of Carboxymethyl Cellulose Concentration on Physical Properties of Biodegradable Cassava Starch-Based Films" (2011). Department of Food Science Faculty Publications. Paper 10.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1752-153X-5-6
Comments
This is the publisher pdf of Wirongrong Tongdeesoontorn, Lisa J Mauer, Sasitorn Wongruong, Pensiri Sriburi, Pornchai Rachtanapun. Effect of Carboxymethyl Cellulose Concentration on Physical Properties of Biodegradable Cassava Starch-Based Films. Chemistry Central Journal 2011, 5:6 (10 February 2011) and is available at: 10.1186/1752-153X-5-6.