Mango kernel starch films as affected by starch nanocrystals and cellulose nanocrystals

Mango seeds have been used to obtain components for nanocomposite films, namely, starch and starch nanocrystals (SNC) from seed kernels, and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) from seed shells. Lignin was also recovered from shells. Starch-based films were prepared with different contents and combinations of SNC and CNC. SNC exhibited round-like rather than platelet-like morphology, and their effect on water vapor barrier was not as high as that of the needle-like CNC. Also, CNC were more effective than SNC to increase elastic modulus. On the other hand, CNC impaired more the elongation. The optimized conditions (1.5 wt% CNC and 8.5 wt% SNC on a starch basis) resulted in a film with enhanced strength, modulus, and barrier to water vapor when compared to the unfilled film, although the elongation has been impaired.