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Application of Starch-Based Polymers

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2023) | Viewed by 7723

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Department of Food Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Interests: food nutrition and health
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Starch is a kind of natural polymer synthesized in higher plants, and is one of the most abundant renewable polysaccharides in the world. Due to the good properties, renewability, and biodegradability, starch and starch-based polymers have been employed as important raw materials for the manufacture of various products, such as film, emulsions, dispersion stabilizers, crystal inhibitors, embedding agents, gelling and thickening agents, etc. Currently, starch-based polymers are widely applied not only in food and agriculture production but also in the chemical and medicine industries. In addition, many innovative methods and techniques for the modification of starch-based polymers are being used to improve their properties and functions in order to enhance their application values and approaches.

The present Special Issue aims to demonstrate the current state of knowledge on the application of starch-based polymers and their derivatives. We invite you to submit original and review articles containing the latest reports and research results on starch-based polymers. This will allow us to follow the future development directions of starch-based polymers, from structure and functionalization to applications. 

Dr. Weicai Zeng
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • natural starch
  • starch-based polymers
  • structure
  • properties
  • functions
  • applications

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1677 KiB  
Article
Sodium Trimetaphosphate Crosslinked Starch Films Reinforced with Montmorillonite
by Konstantinos Noulis, Theofilos Frangopoulos, Athanasia Arampatzidou, Lazaros Tsekmes, Anna Marinopoulou, Athanasios Goulas and Vassilis Karageorgiou
Polymers 2023, 15(17), 3540; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15173540 - 25 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1765
Abstract
Synthetic polymers are the main food packaging material, although they are nonbiodegradable and their recycling process is expensive. A biodegradable, eco-friendly material, with high availability and low cost, such as starch, is a promising solution for the production of films for food packaging. [...] Read more.
Synthetic polymers are the main food packaging material, although they are nonbiodegradable and their recycling process is expensive. A biodegradable, eco-friendly material, with high availability and low cost, such as starch, is a promising solution for the production of films for food packaging. To enhance starch film mechanical and barrier properties, nanoclays have been incorporated within the film matrix. Crosslinking is a well-established method to modify starch properties, but it has not been investigated in combination with nanoclay addition. In the present study, films were developed with starch that was crosslinked through the addition of 5, 15, and 40% wt. sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) based on dry starch weight. To investigate the interaction between crosslinking and nanoclay addition, montmorillonite (MMT) was added at a 10.5% wt. concentration based on dry starch weight. Experimental data revealed a synergistic effect between STMP crosslinking and MMT addition regarding film thickness, elongation at break, color properties, and opacity. Regarding barrier properties, MMT addition negated the effect of STMP crosslinking, while, in the case of moisture content, it did not alter the effect of STMP crosslinking. Finally, in the case of tensile strength, a synergistic effect followed by a negative interaction was observed. In conclusion, the addition of MMT can potentially enhance, alongside crosslinking, some properties of the films, while other properties are not affected any more than just by crosslinking. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Starch-Based Polymers)
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11 pages, 1980 KiB  
Article
Insight into the Molecular Weight of Hydrophobic Starch Laurate-Based Adhesives for Paper
by Jidapa Watcharakitti, Jaturavit Nimnuan, Kuakarun Krusong, Suwat Nanan and Siwaporn Meejoo Smith
Polymers 2023, 15(7), 1754; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15071754 - 31 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2282
Abstract
Instead of using finite petroleum-based resources and harmful additives, starch can be used as a biodegradable, low-cost, and non-toxic ingredient for green adhesives. This work employs K3PO4 catalyzed transesterifications of cassava starch and methyl laurate at varying reaction times (1–10 [...] Read more.
Instead of using finite petroleum-based resources and harmful additives, starch can be used as a biodegradable, low-cost, and non-toxic ingredient for green adhesives. This work employs K3PO4 catalyzed transesterifications of cassava starch and methyl laurate at varying reaction times (1–10 h), resulting in the enhanced hydrophobicity of starch laurates. At longer reaction times, starch laurates having higher degrees of substitution (DS) were obtained. While starch laurates are the major products of transesterification, relatively low-molecular-weight byproducts (1%) were detected and could be hydrolyzed starches based on gel permeation chromatography results. Contact angle measurements confirmed the relatively high hydrophobicity of the modified starches compared with that of native starch. The modified starches were then employed to prepare water-based adhesives on paper (without any additional additives). Notably, the shear strength of the esterified starch adhesives appears to be independent of the DS of esterified samples, hence the transesterification reaction times. Additionally, the shear strength of water-based adhesives (0.67–0.73 MPa) for bonding to paper substrates is superior to that of two other commercially available glues by a factor of 10 to 80 percent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Starch-Based Polymers)
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12 pages, 3854 KiB  
Article
Potato Starch-Based Film Incorporated with Tea Polyphenols and Its Application in Fruit Packaging
by Nan Chen, Hao-Xiang Gao, Qiang He and Wei-Cai Zeng
Polymers 2023, 15(3), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15030588 - 24 Jan 2023
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3040
Abstract
Effects of tea polyphenols (TP) on the physical properties, barrier properties and functionality of potato starch-based film were determined, while the interaction mechanism between TP and starch in film and the application of this film in fruit packaging were further evaluated. TP exhibited [...] Read more.
Effects of tea polyphenols (TP) on the physical properties, barrier properties and functionality of potato starch-based film were determined, while the interaction mechanism between TP and starch in film and the application of this film in fruit packaging were further evaluated. TP exhibited different effects on the physical properties of potato starch-based film, including thickness (0.083 to 0.087 mm), moisture content (9.27% to 9.68%), color (ΔE value: 5.41 to 10.55), light transmittance (51% to 62%), tensile properties and thermal properties, and improved its barrier properties, including water vapor permeability (9.68 to 11.84 × 1011 g m1 s1 Pa1),oxygen permeability (1.25 to 2.78 × 1016 g m1 s−1 Pa1) and antioxidant activity. According to the determination of wide-angle X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and scanning electron microscope, TP could interact with starch chains via hydrogen bonds to form non-crystal complexes, thus affecting the cross-linking among starch chains and further changing the microstructure of film. Furthermore, film incorporated with TP could improve the storage quality (including weight and texture) of blueberries, and inhibit the enzymatic browning of fresh-cut bananas during storage. All present results suggested that tea polyphenols had potential to enhance the properties and function of potato starch-based film, and the film exhibited the application prospect in fruit packaging and preservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Starch-Based Polymers)
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