Biodegradable Film from Maize, Rice and Potato Starch for Food Packaging: Development and Characterization

Abstract

In this study, the PLA (v) andPLA+maize, PLA+rice, PLA+potato starch based biodegradable films along with reagents BPO (benzyl peroxide) and GMA (Glycidylmethacrylate) were developed using commercial extrusion blown molding method. The haze %, tensile strength, OTR, WVTR parameters of the developed films varied from 16.38–87.75%, 56.49-29.25 MPa, 318.25-176.85 cc/m2/day and 175-111.14 gm/m2/day respectively. The addition of rice, maize, potato starch decreased Tg from 65.26 to 60.46, 59.71 and 60.93 ºC; Tm from 146.81 to 143.01-150.16, 143.25-150.56 and 144.37-150.56 ºC with a slight increase in Tc from 106.45 to 107.23, 107.70 and 110.14 ºC respectively. The suitability of capsicum in modified atmospheric packaging was studied using the developed biodegradable films. Capsicum was stored under modified atmosphere packaging in the developed films namely, virgin PLA, PLA-rice (10%), PLA-potato (10%), PLA-maize(20%) of size 28×16 cm2 having packaging area for the transmission of gas of 0.0896 m2 with a fill weight of 0.35 kg. Polymeric film made up of LDPEof 60 μm was used for comparison. The MA packages maintained ≤7% PLW and higher firmness of samples as compared to the unpackaged capsicum. MA packages preserved the quality of capsicum up to 12 and 24 days at 25 ºC and 8 ºC, respectively as compared to unpackaged capsicum having shelf life of 4 and 9 days at 25 ºC and 8 ºC, respectively.