Rheological properties of nanocomposite-forming solutions and film based on montmorillonite and corn starch with different amylose content.

Nanoparticles (montmorillonite, MMT) can enhance biopolymer-based film properties. The structure-property relationship between polymers and nanoparticles may be explained by the rheological tests of nanocomposite forming solutions (NFS). The aim of this work was to study the effect of MMT concentration and amylose content on the rheological properties of NFS based on corn starch and glycerol following two preparation methods, through steady shear and dynamic tests. The organization level of NFS was influenced by the addition order of the components. Decreasing in flow index behavior when increasing amylose content was attributed to interactions between the starch components. In all NFS, G' was higher than G″ indicating a gel-like behavior and suggesting that the MMT reinforced the starch matrix as observed by the increase in the storage modulus of films with MMT. Films obtained from method 2 have better mechanical properties probably due to the starch-MMT interactions.

Compositional and moisture content effects on the biodegradability of zein/ethylcellulose films.

The effect of moisture content and film composition on biodegradability is the focus of this study. Flexible films were first characterized for the effect on water sorption isotherms of relative humidity, temperature, zein content, and the addition of the plasticizers stearic acid, poly(ethylene glycol), or etoxylated ricine oil. Zein/ethylcellulose (EC) mixture films had a behavior between that for pure zein and EC films, which had the lowest water sorption. For films with plasticizer, the lowest water sorption at 25 degrees C was observed for those with stearic acid. Biodegradability of zein/EC films, evaluated using bacterial cultures selected for their zein proteolytic activity and isolated from a local solid waste landfill and a lagoon, showed no plasticizer effect even though its effect on moisture content was significant. Large differences were observed at different film zein concentration with the highest biodegradability for 100% zein. However, biodegradability did not mimic the water sorption behavior of zein/EC mixture films.