Multiple light scattering as a preliminary tool for starch-based film formulation

Starch-based films are a good alternative to synthetic films in food packaging and are usually produced by casting. Their mechanical and optical properties were widely studied in the literature, but the characteristics of the film-forming dispersions were poorly addressed. Since film-forming dispersions influence the formation and quality of films produced, we characterized different starch-based dispersions by the Turbiscan®. It is an instrument based on multiple light scattering and it gives the “fingerprint” of each dispersion by its transmission/backscattering profiles during the time. We analyzed how the addition of additives (citric acid and sodium hexametaphosphate) and the preparation method (with or without sonication) influenced the aforementioned profiles and the film formation and quality. We focused particularly on the investigation of stability and destabilization phenomena in dispersions predicting good or scarce film formation and quality. In light of this, the Turbiscan® can be considered a very useful tool in the choice of the optimal dispersion formulation, even before performing tests on film formation.