Active Thermoplastic Starch Film with Watermelon Rind Extract for Future Biodegradable Food Packaging.

Petrochemical plastic wastes generate serious environmental problems because they are resistant to natural decomposition. The aim of this study was to develop a biodegradable active thermoplastic film composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), corn starch (ST), glycerol, and the active compounds from watermelon rind extract (WMRE), or PVA/ST/WMRE, using the casting technique. The film was examined for its mechanical, antioxidant, and functional properties against selected foodborne pathogens.

Starch grafted poly(butylene succinate) via conjugating reaction and its role on enhancing the compatibility.

A single step process of grafting poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) on starch to obtain starch-g-PBS in a heterogeneous system is proposed. Starch-g-PBS is accomplished by a conjugating reaction in chloroform at room temperature between hydroxyl groups of starch and carboxylic acid terminal groups of PBS by using N-N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) conjugating agent. The grafting of PBS at both primary alcohol and secondary alcohol of starch is as high as 20-30% as confirmed by (1)H NMR and HMBC 2D NMR.