Development and properties of active films based on potato starch modified by low-temperature plasma and enriched with cinnamon essential oil coated with nanoparticles

Potato starch dispersion was modified with low-temperature plasma (LTP) and cinnamon essential oil (CEO) was successfully loaded into mesoporous nano-silica particles (SBA-15). The SBA-15-CEO/LTP-potato starch film was prepared to explore the effects of LTP and SBA-15-CEO on the thermal stability, mechanical and physical properties of the starch-based film. The results showed that the plasma modification and SBA-15-CEO improved the thermal stability and mechanical and physical properties, as well as reduced the gas permeability of the film. Significantly, the crystal structure of the LTP- potato starch film changed after adding SBA-15-CEO. The optimized SBA-15-CEO/LTP-potato starch film (1.5 g glycerin; 0.5 g SBA-15-CEO) had the best mechanical properties and thermal stability and the lowest air permeability and hydrophilicity. Moreover, the aggregation of SBA-15CEO decreased after LTP treatment, and the appearance of irregular and rough fractured surfaces was also alleviated. After LTP modification, the agglomeration of SBA-15-CEO in the film was solved to some extent. The addition of SBA-15-CEO alleviated the problem of starch dehydration and film cracking caused by LTP modification. Therefore, LTP is a simple and environmentally friendly method to improve the properties of potato starch film.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effects of loading cinnamon essential oil onto silica particles and incorporating them into low-temperature plasma-treated potato starch film. The results show that these treatments improve the thermal stability, mechanical properties, and physical properties of the film, as well as reduce gas permeability.