Relevance of genipin networking on rheological, physical, and mechanical properties of starch-based formulations

The small amount of proteins in starch-rich food industry byproducts can be an advantage to crosslink with genipin and tailor the performance of biobased films. In this work, genipin was combined with nonpurified starch recovered from industrial potato washing slurries and used for films production. Starch recovered from potato washing slurries contained 0.75% protein, 2 times higher than starch directly obtained from potato and 6 times higher than the commercial one. Starch protein-genipin networks were formed with 0.05% and 0.10% genipin, gelatinized at 75 degrees C and 95 degrees C in presence of 30% glycerol. Bluish colored films were obtained in all conditions, with the higher surface roughness (Ra, 1.22 mu m), stretchability (elongation, 31%), and hydrophobicity (water contact angle, 127 degrees) for 0.10% genipin and starch gelatinized at 75 degrees C. Therefore, starch-rich byproducts, when combined with genipin, are promising for surpassing the starch-based films hydrophilicity and mechanical fragilities while providing light barrier properties.

Automated summary

In this study, genipin was used in combination with nonpurified starch recovered from industrial potato washing slurries to produce biobased films, resulting in films with higher surface roughness, stretchability, and hydrophobicity. These films have excellent light barrier properties and show potential for replacing traditional starch-based films.