Some Studies on Modified Starch for Low Humidity Application

Starch was chemically modified by substitution with hydroxyethyl groups to three levels (0.05, 0.1, 0.15 molar substitution) to reduce the brittleness of starch film for low humidity application. Substitution with hydroxyethyl groups reduced the density and sonic modulus and increased the moisture regain of the film. The brittleness of hydroxyethyl starch film at low humidity is reduced as the flexural rigidity, intermolecular friction, tensile modulus and breaking strength is decreased and breaking extension is increased.