Preparation and characterization of Enset starch (ES) based films: plasticized by glycerol and sorbitol

Abstract Films were prepared using casting method from enset starch, as a filler material, glycerol & sorbitol as plasticizers at different concentrations (15, 25 and 35%). And glucose, fructose and sucrose were added to enhance flexibility. The films were characterized and compared the effect of plasticizer type (glycerol and sorbitol) and concentration some physicochemical properties of ES based films. The films were analyzed for moisture content, film density, and thickness, swelling capacity, tensile strength and percentage elongation. The study indicated that moisture content, film thickness, film density, swelling capacity, tensile strength and percentage elongation are dependent on the type of plasticizer and its concentration. Increasing the plasticizer concentration from 15 to 35 % increases moisture content, film thickness; decreases the film density, water swelling capacity and tensile strength of films, regardless of the plasticizer type used.