Editorial

Abstract

Jose Alvarez-Ramirez The recent decades have witnessed a growing interest in the development and application of starch films. Low-cost, sustainability, biodegradability, and long-term stability are the motivations behind the use of starch as a base polymer for film fabrication. The aim of this special issue is to bring together recent research advances in starch films. Articles come from India, China, Australia, Malaysia, Poland, and Mexico, reflecting the widespread interest in the field. The work by Kaur et al. explores the ability of biodegradable chitosan–rice starch films to preserve the quality of peach fruits. The results are promising as the film inhibits the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. In a similar research line, the work by Ji et al. reports the antimicrobial effect of incorporating chitosan and calcium bicarbonate particles. Saberi et al. study blends of pea starch and guar gum, arriving at optimal conditions for mechanical properties and water-vapor permeability. Nair and co-workers report that konjac glucomannan–chitosan films incorporated with granular cassava starch and nanosilver improve greatly the water barrier properties. Ren et al. propose glycerol and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride as combined plasticizers to improve the thermal stability and tensile strength. Edhirej and collaborators find that the plasticizer type and concentration significantly influence the properties of cassava starch film. Staroszczyk et al. study strategies to improve the mechanical and water-barrier properties of films prepared from starch and clays. Ren and colleagues study water barrier and mechanical properties of innovative starch films reinforced with crosslinked starch nanoparticles. Finally, Garcia-Hernandez et al. study the impact of gelatinization insoluble remnants on the mechanical and water barrier properties of corn starch films. All articles included in this special issue illustrate the scientific and technological efforts to advance the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the stability and protective action of starch films. On behalf of the editorial board, I would like to express enormous gratitude to all authors and reviewers that contributed to this special issue. Jose Alvarez-Ramirez Departamento de Ingeniería de Procesos e Hidráulica Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa Apartado Postal 55-534 Iztapalapa, 09340 México Email: jjar@xanum.uam.mx