Physico-Chemical Properties of Indian Horse Chestnut (Aesculus indica) Starch Films as Affected by γ-Irradiation

摘要

Abstract Starch films were developed using starch from Indian Horse Chestnut (IHCN) and the effect of gamma-irradiations on the physico-chemical properties of films was evaluated. The starch films were irradiated at 1.25, 2.5 and 5 kGy doses. Irradiated films exhibited varied properties compared to the native IHCN starch films. The results revealed that irradiation increased the flexibility of films from 50.53 to 66.12%, water holding capacity from 84.24 to 88.55%, solubility from 25.44 to 27.85%, and transparency from 3.20 to 5.20. However, the films displayed a decrease in mechanical resistance (3.88–1.05 MPa), moisture content (10.01–8.89%), thickness (0.31–0.29 mm), swelling capacity (130.54–43.28%), and density (0.163–0.156 gcm−3). An increase in water vapor permeability from 4.17 to 7.61 × 10−12gm−1 s−1 Pa−1was also observed. Scanning electron micrographs of irradiated starch films depicted less dense and more open structure with small pores than the native films which accounts for their high oxygen and water vapor permeability.