The properties of potato and cassava starch films combined with cellulose fibers and/or nanoclay

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate films produced from potato and cassava starches, reinforced with cellulose fibers and/or nanoclay. The films were elaborated with 4% starch, 30% glycerol, 20% cellulose fiber, and/or 5.0% nanoclay. The films were evaluated by physical, mechanical, and water vapor barriers, and morphological properties. The addition of nanoclay and cellulose simultaneously increased the tensile strength from 12.03 to 17.75MPa and decreased the elongation from 13.81 to 0.94% of the potato starch films when compared to films without addition of these reinforcements. The addition of cellulose fibers and/or nanoclay increased the tensile strength of the cassava starch films. The water vapor permeability (WVP) of the films decreased with the addition of reinforcing agents, and the lowest WVP values were presented when cellulose and nanoclay were added simultaneously to the starch films. A synergistic effect between the cellulose and the nanoclay in the constitution of the film promoted a lower WVP value. The addition of cellulose increased the water solubility from 14.7 to 19.6% of the potato starch films. The addition of reinforcement agents in potato starch films produced more resistant films with a moderate solubility, thus can be used as a biodegradable sachet to release systems.