Development of highly reusable, mechanically stable corn starch-based aerogel using glycerol for potential application in the storage of fresh spinach leaves

Impact of glycerol on the physico-functional, morphological, mechanical, and rehydration properties of corn starch-based aerogel has been investigated. The aerogel was prepared from hydrogel (sol-gel method) using solvent exchange and supercritical CO2 drying. Glycerol-infused aerogel had a more connected, denser structure (0.38–0.45 g/cm3), enhanced hygroscopic behavior, and was reusable up to eight times in terms of its capacity to absorb water after being drawn from the soaked sample. However, the inclusion of glycerol reduced the aerogel's porosity (75.89–69.91 %) and water absorption rate (WAR; 118.53–84.64 %) but enhanced its percentage shrinkage (75.03–77.99 %) and compressive strength (26.01–295.06 N). The most effective models for describing the rehydration behavior of aerogel were determined to be the Page, Weibull, and Modified Peleg models. Glycerol addition improved the internal strength of the aerogel so could be recycled without significant change in the physical characteristics of the aerogel. By effectively eliminating the condensed moisture that was developed inside the packing owing to the transpiration of fresh spinach leaves, the aerogel extended the storage life of the leaves by up to eight days. The glycerol-based aerogel has the potential to be employed as a carrier matrix for various chemicals and a moisture scavenger. [Display omitted] •Developed lightweight, highly porous, mechanically stable corn starch-based aerogel using glycerol.•Number of interconnections inside the aerogel matrix increased with addition of glycerol.•Addition of glycerol increased the reusability and recompressibility of aerogel.•The developed aerogel was successfully used to absorb condensed moisture from the package of stored fresh spinach leaves.