Effect of Drying Temperature in Biopolymeric Films of Cassava Starch and its Effect on Wettability, Water Vapor Barrier and Mechanical Properties

Coating technologies with biopolymeric films of low cost and high efficiency are effective in maintaining the chemical and sensory characteristics and shelf-life extension of several fruits. Films of cassava starch/glycerol were synthesized at different temperature and time conditions (25oC / 60h, 40oC / 5h, 60oC / 3h and 80oC / 2h) in order to decrease the drying time of the filmogenic solutions. SEM analysis (scanning electron microscopy), WVP (water vapor permeability), wettability and mechanical properties were evaluated in order to identify morphological and structural changes in the polymeric matrix in different conditions. Changes in temperature and drying time significantly reduced the roughness and affected the barrier characteristics, effectively improving tensile strength. A reduction of more than 90% in the drying time was identified.