Starch/chitosan/glycerol films produced from low-value biomass: effect of starch source and weight ratio on film properties

Films based on chitosan from giant squid (Dosidicus gigas) residual endoskeleton, starch from different low-value agroindustrial byproducts and glycerol were successfully obtained. Four starch sources and three different weight ratios (1/1, 2/1 and 5/1 of starch/chitosan) were used. Applying a statistical design of completely randomized blocks, the effect of starch source and weight ratio on the film properties were evaluated. The starch source did not affect any of the tested properties. However, film properties such as thickness, water solubility, water vapor permeability, elongation, and tensile strength revealed significant differences (p<0.01) related to the starch weight ratio in the films. A higher starch weight ratio led to lower water solubility; nevertheless, the higher starch weight ratio led to films with higher thickness, water vapor permeability and tensile strength.