From micro to macro: Physical-chemical characterization of wheat starch-based films modified with PEG200, sodium citrate, or citric acid.

Needing to extend the shelf-life of packaged food and the evolving consumer demands led researchers to seek innovative, eco-friendly, and biocompatible packaging solutions. Starch is among the most promising natural and renewable alternatives to non-degradable plastics. Here, we deeply study the structural features of starch films modified by adding citric acid (CA) or sodium citrate (SC) as a cross-linker and polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG200) as a plasticizer and obtained through solvent casting.