Evaluation of Biodegradable Films from Tapioca Starch

摘要

The present study was undertaken to investigate the physico-chemical properties oftapioca starchfilms. Biodegradable films were prepared with starch concentration ranging between 1.5% - 3.0%, and glycerol concentration between 20%> - 30% of total starch. Chitosan, a known anti-microbial polysaccharide, was added to increase the mechanical strength of one of the films. Film having 3% starch and 20 % glycerol of total starch with a casting depth of 5 mm was found to be the best with tensile strength of9.23 MPa, solubility of 17.22%, WVTR of306.58 gm. cm~(-2).day~(-1) and thickness of 1.5mm. Chitosan additional the rate of 1% was not effective in improving the films tensile strength.