Production of starch film by photochemical reactions: Physicochemical characterization

Environmental pollutions and limitation of petroleum resource were brought about development of biobased polymers and progress in reducing dependence to fossil fuels. In current study, the functional properties of modified starch by photochemical reactions as a biodegradable food packaging material were investigated. Starch film-forming solutions were exposed to ultraviolet C (UV-C) ray with a wavelength range 100 to 280 nm for different times (1, 6, 12, and 24 h). Tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the film specimens were decreased with increasing irradiation time. Elongation at break, and tensile energy to break of the film specimens were increased, simultaneously. Hydrophobicity, moisture sensitivities, and water vapor permeability of starch films, were improved with UV-C irradiation. It can be concluded, UV-C is an easy and accessible process to modify starchbased biodegradable films.