New approach of starch and chitosan films as biodegradable mulching

Abstract

Natural polymers, such as starch and chitosan, can to result in biodegradable films to reduce plastic pollution. The addition of chitosan can improve the properties of starch films to use in agriculture, well as the addition of pigments that to help in the controlling the growth of invasive plants. The aim of this study was to analyze the behavior of mulch obtained from the starch-chitosan films with the addition of inorganic pigments. The tensile strength of the films at ruptures did not vary with the formulation, and the films with pigments were more flexible. The addition of chitosan achieved a two-fold reduction in film solubility in comparison with that of films composed of only starch. When in contact with the soil, the films exhibited a decrease in properties and changes in infrared spectrum and micrographs; however, the films showed no visible cracks for 45 days. Thus, the starch-chitosan films can effectively serve as biodegradable mulch.