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Enhancing Starch Film Properties Using Bacterial Nanocellulose-Stabilized Pickering Emulsions
Natália Tavares de Almeida1, André Luís Sousa Pereira2, Matheus de Oliveira Barros3
1Department of Food Engineering, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza 60455-760, CE, Brazil.
Polymers
|December 17, 2024
Summary
Adding Pickering emulsions stabilized with bacterial cellulose (BC) to starch films significantly improved their water resistance and barrier properties. A 2.5% concentration offered the best balance of hydrophobicity and mechanical strength.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Food Science
Background:
- Starch-based films often exhibit poor hydrophilicity and mechanical properties, limiting their applications.
- Enhancing barrier properties and hydrophobicity is crucial for developing advanced starch-based materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To improve the hydrophilicity, barrier properties, and mechanical performance of starch-based films.
- To investigate the effect of incorporating Pickering emulsions stabilized with nano-fibrillated bacterial cellulose (BC).
Main Methods:
- Pickering emulsions stabilized with nano-fibrillated bacterial cellulose were incorporated into starch film suspensions at various concentrations (1.0%–7.5%).
- Films were characterized using water vapor permeability (WVP), contact angle measurements, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and tensile tests.
Main Results:
- Incorporation of Pickering emulsions significantly reduced film hydrophilicity, evidenced by an increased contact angle (49.7° to 71.0°).
- Water vapor barrier properties were substantially improved, with WVP decreasing from 0.085 to 0.016 g·mm/h·m²·kPa.
- FTIR confirmed successful integration of the emulsion into the starch matrix, and 2.5% concentration yielded optimal hydrophobicity and mechanical strength.
Conclusions:
- Pickering emulsions stabilized with nano-fibrillated bacterial cellulose are effective in enhancing the functional properties of starch films.
- This strategy offers a promising approach for developing high-performance starch-based materials with improved water resistance and barrier capabilities.
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