Teklehaimanot, WHRay, Suprakas SEmmambux, MN2020-10-312020-10-312020-09Teklehaimanot, W.H., Ray, S.S. & Emmambux, M.N. 2020. Characterization of pre-gelatinized maize starch-zein blend films produced at alkaline pH. Journal of Cereal Science, vol 25. pp. 1-90733-52101095-9963https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcs.2020.103083https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0733521020305129http://hdl.handle.net/10204/11653Copyright: 2020, Elsevier. Due to copyright restrictions, the attached PDF file contains the abstract of the full-text item. For access to the full-text item, please consult the publisher's website.Biodegradable materials are considered as alternative to synthetic materials to alleviate the environmental burdens caused by petroleum based synthetic materials. Biopolymer blends have been extensively researched to improve the material properties of biopolymer-based materials for potential replacement of non-biodegradable materials. Compatible blends of pre-gelatinized maize starch (uncomplexed or complexed with stearic acid) and commercial zein in 0.1 M NaOH were used to produce the films. The effect of the ratio of uncomplexed starch, zein and starch complexed with stearic acid on the tensile, water vapour and oxygen barrier and thermal properties of the composite films were investigated. Blending zein with starch increased the tensile strength and reduced the tensile strain compared to starch films. Addition of starch complexed with stearic acid to the blend further increased the tensile strength and decreased the elongation at break. Both blending zein with starch and addition of starch complexed with stearic acid to the blend decreased the water vapour permeability, however, the oxygen permeability was increased compared to starch films. The starch-zein blend films had an endothermic temperature and thermal transition in between the uncomplexed maize starch and zein films suggesting possible compatibility at molecular level. The microstructure of the blend films also showed good miscibility of pre-gelatinized starch and commercial zein. In conclusion alkaline solvent (0.1 M NaOH) could produce compatible starch-zein blends that can produce films with improved tensile strength and water vapour permeability compared to starch films.enCommercial zeinBiopolymer blend filmsConfocal laser microscopyPre-gelatinized starchStarch complexed with stearic acidTensille propertiesArticleTeklehaimanot, W., Ray, S. S., & Emmambux, M. (2020). Characterization of pre-gelatinized maize starch-zein blend films produced at alkaline pH. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/11653Teklehaimanot, WH, Suprakas S Ray, and MN Emmambux "Characterization of pre-gelatinized maize starch-zein blend films produced at alkaline pH." (2020) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/11653Teklehaimanot W, Ray SS, Emmambux M. Characterization of pre-gelatinized maize starch-zein blend films produced at alkaline pH. 2020; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/11653.TY - Article AU - Teklehaimanot, WH AU - Ray, Suprakas S AU - Emmambux, MN AB - Biodegradable materials are considered as alternative to synthetic materials to alleviate the environmental burdens caused by petroleum based synthetic materials. Biopolymer blends have been extensively researched to improve the material properties of biopolymer-based materials for potential replacement of non-biodegradable materials. Compatible blends of pre-gelatinized maize starch (uncomplexed or complexed with stearic acid) and commercial zein in 0.1 M NaOH were used to produce the films. The effect of the ratio of uncomplexed starch, zein and starch complexed with stearic acid on the tensile, water vapour and oxygen barrier and thermal properties of the composite films were investigated. Blending zein with starch increased the tensile strength and reduced the tensile strain compared to starch films. Addition of starch complexed with stearic acid to the blend further increased the tensile strength and decreased the elongation at break. Both blending zein with starch and addition of starch complexed with stearic acid to the blend decreased the water vapour permeability, however, the oxygen permeability was increased compared to starch films. The starch-zein blend films had an endothermic temperature and thermal transition in between the uncomplexed maize starch and zein films suggesting possible compatibility at molecular level. The microstructure of the blend films also showed good miscibility of pre-gelatinized starch and commercial zein. In conclusion alkaline solvent (0.1 M NaOH) could produce compatible starch-zein blends that can produce films with improved tensile strength and water vapour permeability compared to starch films. DA - 2020-09 DB - ResearchSpace DP - CSIR KW - Commercial zein KW - Biopolymer blend films KW - Confocal laser microscopy KW - Pre-gelatinized starch KW - Starch complexed with stearic acid KW - Tensille properties LK - https://researchspace.csir.co.za PY - 2020 SM - 0733-5210 SM - 1095-9963 T1 - Characterization of pre-gelatinized maize starch-zein blend films produced at alkaline pH TI - Characterization of pre-gelatinized maize starch-zein blend films produced at alkaline pH UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10204/11653 ER -