Starch based films and food coatings: an overview.

VERSINO FLORENCIA ; LOPEZ OLIVIA.; MARIA ALEJANDRA GARCIA ,; ZARITZKY NOEMI.

STARCH/STARKE

WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH

Lugar: Weinheim; Año: 2016 vol. 68 p. 1 - 12

0038-9056

Native and modified starches have received considerable attention for biodegradable films formulation due to their completely biodegradable nature, edible characteristics and low cost.Development and characterization of starch films obtained by: i) casting, ii) blown extrusion and iii) thermo-compression moulding process are described.Rheological properties of filmogenic suspensions, barrier properties and mechanical resistance of the obtained films are reported. Addition of specific additives to the formulations modifies the film functionality transforming them in active materials. Diffusion of antimicrobial agents such as potassium sorbate from active starch film as well as their efficacy in dairy products isdiscussed. Likewise, reinforcing agents lead to composite materials with improved mechanical resistance. Starch based materials show higher permeability to carbon dioxide than to oxygen, which is useful to control the respiration rate of fruits and vegetables. The application of active starch-based coatings to strawberries and Brussels sprouts in order to prolong their refrigeratedstorage life is analysed.A detailed overview on the formulation and performance of starch based films employing industrial and lab-scale methods as wellas the application of starch coatings to improve food quality is presented, with the aim of analyse the possibility of development and application of such materials.