Accelerated Shelf-Life and Stability Testing of Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Films
Andra-Ionela Ghizdareanu1,2, Diana Pasarin2, Alexandra Banu1
1Facultatea de Stiinta si Ingineria Materialelor, Universitatea Politehnica din Bucuresti, 313 Splaiul Independentei, 060042 Bucharest, Romania.
Polymers
|February 28, 2023
Summary
Biodegradable films from hydrolyzed corn starch (CSH) offer a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging. These CSH films degrade within weeks, showing promise for eco-friendly food packaging, especially for dry goods.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Conventional plastic food packaging, like polyethylene and polypropylene, poses environmental hazards due to slow decomposition.
- Biodegradable alternatives derived from renewable resources offer a more sustainable solution for food packaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate biodegradable food packaging films using hydrolyzed corn starch (CSH).
- To assess the durability, stability, and biodegradability of CSH films under various environmental conditions.
Main Methods:
- CSH films were prepared using corn starch hydrolyzed with α-amylase.
- Film durability was tested at accelerated temperatures and relative humidity (RH) for 60 days.
- Soil biodegradation was assessed using visual, microscopic, weight loss, SEM, and FTIR analyses.
Main Results:
- CSH films exhibit strong hygroscopic properties and can last up to 10 months under controlled conditions (20 ± 5 °C and 45 ± 5% RH).
- Biodegradation tests showed significant weight loss and increased microbial activity after 30 days.
- The films are suitable for packaging dried foods due to their shelf life at room temperature.
Conclusions:
- Biodegradable CSH films are a viable, environmentally friendly option for packaging dried foods.
- These films offer good shelf life at room temperature, beneficial for storage and shipping.
- CSH films are not recommended for high-moisture food products.
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