Biodegradable Films Based on Cassava Starch/Mentha piperita Essence: Fabrication, Characterization and Properties

Abstract

In this study, the effect of Mentha piperita essence (MPE) incorporation into cassava films on the hydrophilic and physicochemical properties of the resulting biodegradable films was investigated. The properties included solubility, moisture uptake and contact angle. MPE was added into biodegradable films at different amounts (1, 2 and 3%, w/w total solid). All biofilms were plasticized with 40 % (w/w total solid) combination of glycerol / sorbitol at 1:3 ratio. The incorporation of MPE into cassava films decreased solubility. The moisture uptake of the edible films was found to decrease by MPE reinforcement, and hydrophilic property of biofilms was decreed by increasing MPE.