Tensile Strength and Solubility Studies of Edible Biodegradable Films Developed from Pseudo-cereal Starches: An Inclusive Comparison with Commercial Corn Starch

Abstract

Edible biodegradable films were prepared from amaranth, buckwheat and commercial important corn starches by casting method. Starch, glycerol and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were used to prepare filmogenic starch solutions in potable luke warm water, followed by ultra-sonication for homogenous mixing of the mixed ingredients. After this, heating was applied to starch based slurried solutions until it turned into gel solutions. These filmogenic gel solutions were then dried and films were peeled off and stored in desiccator. Stored films were analyzed for functional properties viz., tensile strength, solubility and water vapor permeation. Amaranth starch based edible biodegradable films presented considerable clarity values however buckwheat starch and corn starch based films exhibited good tensile strength and better solubility values. Developed edible biodegradable films from amaranth starch were analysed for surface structure examination by SEM. Evaluation of surface revealed uniformity, homogeneity with no surface crack on the surface of developed edible biodegradable films.