Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
11:26
Towards Biomimicking Wood: Fabricated Free-standing Films of Nanocellulose, Lignin, and a Synthetic Polycation
Published on: June 17, 2014
16.5K
Starch-Based Functional Films Enhanced with Bacterial Nanocellulose for Smart Packaging: Physicochemical Properties,
Sanja Mahović Poljaček1, Tamara Tomašegović1, Maja Strižić Jakovljević1
1Faculty of Graphic Arts, University of Zagreb, Getaldićeva 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Polymers
|August 29, 2024
Summary
New starch-based films using bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and red cabbage anthocyanins (RCA) show promise as pH indicators. These smart packaging materials offer visual pH changes, with maize starch outperforming potato starch for anthocyanin stabilization.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Food Science
Background:
- Smart packaging requires visual indicators for monitoring food quality and safety.
- Bio-based pH indicators offer sustainable alternatives to synthetic materials.
- Anthocyanins from red cabbage (RCA) and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) are explored for their pH-sensing capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize starch-based pH-sensing films incorporating bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) and red cabbage anthocyanins (RCA).
- To investigate the influence of BNC concentration on the structural, physical, surface, and colorimetric properties of the films.
- To correlate intermolecular interactions within the films with their performance as pH indicators for smart packaging.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of starch-based films using maize starch (MS) and potato starch (PS) with varying concentrations of BNC and RCA.
- Analysis of film properties including structural, physical (swelling, contact angle), surface (free energy), and colorimetric (CIE L*).
- Colorimetric evaluation of film response to a range of pH buffer solutions (pH 2.0-10.5).
Main Results:
- Maize starch (MS) demonstrated superior stabilization of RCA compared to potato starch (PS).
- PS-based films exhibited higher hydrophilicity (lower water contact angle).
- Optimal BNC concentrations were identified for wet environment stability (approx. 10% for MS, 50% for PS).
- Films displayed distinct color transitions (red/pink to green) across the pH range.
- BNC addition affected film lightness (CIE L*), with greater impact on MS-based films.
Conclusions:
- Starch-based films with BNC and RCA are effective bio-based pH indicators for smart packaging.
- Maize starch is a more suitable matrix for RCA stabilization, while PS offers better hydrophilicity.
- Film properties are tunable via BNC concentration, impacting stability and colorimetric response.
- Understanding intermolecular interactions is key to optimizing these pH-sensing materials.
