Effects of high-pressure homogenization on the properties of starch-plasticizer dispersions and their films

The properties of starch-plasticizer (glycerol:xylitol = 1:1) dispersions obtained with and without high-pressure homogenization and their corresponding films were investigated. The fully gelatinized dispersions with or without homogenization were subsequently converted into films using solution casting. The apparent viscosity of the dispersions with or without homogenization was determined. The water vapor permeability, opacity, crystalline/amorphous nature, and mechanical properties of these starch-based films were determined. The high-pressure homogenization greatly reduced the apparent viscosity of the dispersions and altered the flow behavior from shear-thinning into Newtonian one. The films obtained from high-pressure homogenized dispersions had better moisture barrier property, better film transparency and higher tensile strength but lower elongation.