Tapioca starch films reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose for potential food packaging application

Abstract This work is directed towards developing biodegradable films from biopolymer that is sustainable and environmentally friendly particularly tapioca starch (TPS) films. However, the usage of TPS films for food packaging application has been limited due to the poor mechanical, barrier and thermal properties. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) at different concentrations (0 to 10 wt.%) was incorporated as the filler into the films to form TPS/MCC composite films via solvent casting method in order to improve the limited properties of the films. The TPS/MCC films were characterized in terms of physical, mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties. It was found that 3 wt.% MCC was the ideal concentration of filler that resulted to the highest performance of the films in terms of mechanical and barrier properties. Thermal properties of the films were also improved with the addition of MCC into the films. In conclusion, TPS/MCC films produced in this study exhibit improved properties and have the potential to be used for food packaging application.

摘要：本研究旨在开发可持续环保型生物聚合物基可降解薄膜，尤其聚焦于木薯淀粉（TPS，Tapioca Starch）基薄膜。然而，TPS薄膜用于食品包装应用时，因力学、阻隔及热学性能欠佳，其应用受到显著限制。本研究采用溶剂流延法（solvent casting method），将不同浓度（0至10 wt.%）的微晶纤维素（MCC，Microcrystalline Cellulose）作为填料掺入薄膜基体中，制备出TPS/MCC复合薄膜，以改善该类薄膜的性能缺陷。研究团队从物理、力学、阻隔及热学性能等方面对所制备的复合薄膜开展了系统表征。研究发现，当微晶纤维素添加浓度为3 wt.%时，复合薄膜的力学与阻隔性能达到最佳表现，该浓度为最优填料添加量。此外，微晶纤维素的掺入亦可有效改善复合薄膜的热学性能。综上，本研究制备的TPS/MCC复合薄膜性能得到显著优化，具备用于食品包装领域的潜在应用价值。