Abstract:
Non-biodegradable synthetic packaging materials cause tremendous harmful effects on
ecosystem. Hence, biodegradable packaging materials processing research is essential for the food
and allied industries globally. Starch is one of the most important polysaccharides used in the
formulation of edible biodegradable packaging such as edible films and coatings. Palmyrah
(Borassus flabellifer L.) tuber is a rich source of starch, widely available in Northern, Eastern and
Southern provinces in Sri Lanka. Although the Palmyrah tuber starch is available as a low - cost
ingredient in Sri Lanka, scientific investigations and product development of bio-degradable
packaging are scanty. The objective of the present research was to formulate, develop and
characterize edible bio-degradable films for coating or packaging the food products. In addition
to palmyrah tuber starch, gelatin and glycerol were used as ingredients. Treatment formulations
with 60, 70, 80, 90, 100% (w/w) total solids were Palmyrah tuber starch. Gelatin and glycerol
were added as hydrocolloid and plasticizer respectively. The thickness, moisture content,
solubility, tensile strength, elongation at break and water vapour transmission rate of films were
measured. Data analysis was done using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test using
Minitab 17 statistical software. Palmyrah tuber starch yield extracted from fresh tubers was 15.6
%. The tensile strength increased, while increasing the gelatin concentration and reducing the
water solubility of the composite films. The elongation behaviour at break was uniform. And the
water vapour transmission rate increased with the higher gelatin concentration. The optimized
formulation with palmyrah tuber starch (4%), gelatin (1.0%) and glycerol (1.5%) of the film -
forming solution has exhibited significantly high tensile strength (10.0 ± 0.0 MPa) and low water
vapour transmission rate (4.10 ± 0.00 g/m2.d). Thickness (0.14 ± 0.01 mm), moisture content
(14.43 ± 0.02 %), solubility (63.09 ± 0.03 %) and elongation at break (41.00 ± 1.41 mm) were
measured. The composite edible film has been exhibited biodegradability in soil within six days.
In conclusion, the optimized formulation with palmyrah tuber starch, gelatin and glycerol has high
potential as the edible composite biodegradable packaging material for food products. Further
investigation on application on different nature of food products is recommended.
