Films based on oxidized starch and cellulose from barley

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Starch and cellulose are abundant biopolymers with potential for creating sustainable materials.
• Developing biodegradable packaging from renewable resources is crucial for reducing environmental impact.
• Barley husk is an underutilized agricultural byproduct rich in cellulose fibers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize biodegradable films using oxidized starches and cellulose fibers from barley husk.
• To evaluate the effect of cellulose fiber addition on the morphological, mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties of starch films.
• To assess the potential of these composite films for food packaging applications.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of cellulose fibers from barley husk.
• Preparation of biodegradable films using native starch, oxidized starches, glycerol, and varying concentrations of cellulose fibers (0%, 10%, 20%).
• Characterization of film properties including morphology, tensile strength, elongation, water vapor permeability, and thermal stability using techniques like TGA.

Main Results:

• Cellulose fibers isolated from barley husk exhibited high purity and crystallinity.
• Films made with oxidized starches showed more homogeneous morphology compared to native starch films.
• Addition of cellulose fibers increased tensile strength and thermal stability, while decreasing elongation.
• The film with 20% cellulose fibers demonstrated lower water vapor permeability.

Conclusions:

• Oxidized starch and cellulose fibers from barley are suitable for developing advanced biodegradable packaging materials.
• Incorporating cellulose fibers into starch films significantly enhances their mechanical and thermal properties.
• These composite films hold considerable potential for use in food systems to maintain product integrity and extend shelf life.