Antimicrobial, Physicochemical, Mechanical, and Barrier Properties of Tapioca Starch Films Incorporated with Eucalyptus Extract

• Main Authors: M. Rojhan, L. Nouri
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Islamic Azad University 2013-11-01
• Series: Journal of Chemical Health Risks
• Subjects: Eucalyptus extract, Tapioca Starch film, WVP, Antimicrobial, Mechanical Properties
• Online Access: http://www.jchr.org/index.php/JCHR/article/view/188

Starch is found in abundance in nature and it is one of the raw materials used for food packaging<br />because of the low price, biodegradability, good mechanical and barrier properties. The recycling ability of<br />coating materials was significantly increased by using edible films and coating in comparison to traditional<br />packaging and it could be an alternative for synthetic films. In this research, the effect of eucalyptus extract<br />(Aqueous Extract) was investigated on tapioca starch films. Tapioca starch films were prepared by casting<br />method with addition of eucalyptus extract and a mixture of sorbitol/glycerol (weight ratio of 3 to 1) as<br />plasticizers. Eucalyptus extract incorporated to the tapioca starch films were dried at different concentrations<br />(0, 15, 25, and 35 of total solid) under controlled conditions. Physicochemical properties such as water<br />absorption capacity (WAC), water vapor permeability (WVP) and mechanical properties of the films were<br />evaluated. Results showed that by increasing the concentration of eucalyptus extract, tensile strength was<br />increased from 20.60 to 15.68 (MPa), also elongation was increased from 19.31 to 23.57 (%) at break and<br />Young’s modulus was decreased from 800.31 to 500.32 (MPa). Also incorporation of eucalyptus extract in the<br />structure of biopolymer increased permeability of water vapor of starch films. Tapioca starch films<br />incorporated with eucalyptus extract exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against E. Coli. In summary,<br />eucalyptus extract improves functional properties of tapioca starch films and this types of films can be used in<br />food packaging.