Bilayer films produced with ozonated potato starch

Abstract

We recently proposed the ozonation as an interesting alternative to modify starches with a focus on film production. The films produced with ozonated starches presented enhanced mechanical properties, with increased tensile strength and Young's modulus. However, water vapour and oxygen permeability were also increased. Bilayer films propose to combine the characteristics of different individual polymer sources in a single structure, aiming to improve the properties of the films i.e. barrier properties. The appropriate combination of the polymeric matrices may lead to the improvement of these properties and thus, the package applications.Many combinations of polymers had been studied for example starch and poly (lactic) acid (PLA), both biodegradable and renewable materials. Since both polymers show complementary mechanical and barrier properties, their combination could lead to films with improved properties. Profa. Amparo Chiralt and her group Research Institute of Food Engineering for Development from the Polytechnic University of Valencia has expertise in developing bilayer films through compressing moulding technique. The advantages of compression moulding are the ability to mould a large quantity of materials and its low cost. However, this technology is not explored in Brazil.Therefore, the present project proposes a Research Internships Abroad BEPE at the Research Institute of Food Engineering for Development from the Polytechnic University of Valencia with the aim to develop a bilayer film with ozonated potato starch and poly (lactic) acid trying to enhance the performance of ozonated potato starch films reported in the current study developed in Brazil. (AU)