Thermoplastic starch plasticized with alginate–glycerol mixtures: Melt-processing evaluation and film properties

•Corn starch with glycerol, water and alginate was well melt-processed and injected.•Water and alginate improved plasticized starch melt-processability and injection.•Films section homogeneity evidenced water/alginate plasticizing action of starch.•The use of water/alginate decreased glass transition temperature of starch matrix.•Alginate appears as good alternative in replacing water in starch melt-processing. Corn starch melt-processing in the presence of a commonly used plasticizer mixture (water/glycerol) and a non-conventional alternative (alginate/glycerol) was evaluated. All assayed formulations were successfully processed by melt-mixing and injected in circular probes. It was determined that all samples presented a typical viscoelastic behavior, observing a decrease in storage and loss modulus with water and alginate concentration, which facilitated samples processability. Concerning to thermal stability, it was not affected neither for water nor alginate presence. From injected probes, flexible films were obtained by thermo-compression. Films with the highest assayed water content presented a sticky appearance, whereas those containing alginate were non-tacky. Plasticizing action of water and alginate was evidenced by the occurrence of homogeneous fracture surfaces, without the presence of unmelted starch granules. Besides, the shift of glass transition temperature to lower values also corroborated the plasticizing effect of both additives. In conclusion, obtained results demonstrated the well-plasticizing action of sodium alginate on starch matrix, turning this additive into a promissory alternative to replace water during melt-processing of thermoplastic corn-starch.