Mechanical and moisture barrier properties of corn distarch phosphate film influenced by modified microcry stalline corn straw cellulose

• Published in: Journal of the science of food and agriculture 2018-12, Vol.98 (15), p.5639-5646
• Main Authors: Shao, Xinru, Sun, Haitao, Jiang, Ruiping, Qin, Ting, Ma, Zhongsu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodegradability; biodegradable; Biodegradation; Cellulose; Color; composite; Corn; Corn straw; crystallization; Elongation; Food packaging; Food packaging industry; Fourier transforms; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Organic chemistry; Permeability; Phosphates; properties and characterization; Scanning electron microscopy; Straw; Water vapor; X ray spectra; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 0022-5142; 1097-0010
• DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.9109

BACKGROUND In this paper, a novel modified microcrystalline corn straw cellulose (MMCSC) was prepared by ultrasonic/microwave‐assisted treatment. Effective incorporation of MMCSC into corn distarch phosphate (CDP)‐based composite films was investigated. RESULTS As the proportion of MMCSC was increased, tensile strength increased initially before decreasing, and the elongation at break always decreased. The composite film of MMCSC20 showed the lowest water vapor permeability (2.917 × 10−7 g m−1 h−1 Pa−1). The measurement of surface color showed that by the increasing of the MMCSC proportion in composite films, the L* and b* values and the total color difference (ΔE*) increased, while a* values decreased. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis indicated that, with the incorporation of MMCSC, the stable structure of the films was enhanced through cross‐linking and the crystallinity was increased. A scanning electron microscopy study revealed the surface microstructure of films (MMCSC0–MMCSC30) was smooth and homogeneous, and there was no distinct separation in the matrix of composite films. CONCLUSION The incorporation of suitable MMCSC could improve the properties of composite films. The CDP–MMCSC films, which are completely biodegradable and environmental friendly, have a high potential to be used for food packaging. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry