MODIFIED ARRACACHA STARCH FILMS CHARACTERIZATION AND ITS POTENTIAL UTILIZATION AS FOOD PACKAGING CARACTERIZACIóN DE PELíCULAS DE ALMIDóN MODIFICADO DE ARRACACHA Y SU EVENTUAL APLICACIóN COMO EMPAQUE DE ALIMENTOS

Background: The use of petroleum-based plastics has increased in recent years. These materials are resistant and economically competitive. However, the environmental pollution caused by these is very high. For this reason, some research has focused on the alleviation of this environmental problem, mainly through the development and use of biodegradable polymers. The food industry as an economic dynamic sector is looking for new environmental and secure alternatives for the consumer welfare. In packaging sector, materials should be renewable and final products must be recyclable, innovative and economically competitive. New starch sources could be an adequate alternative. Objetive: The main objective in this research project was to evaluate the chemical modification of arracacha starch, testing different plasticizer concentrations, as a raw material for food biodegradable packaging production. Methods: The arracacha native starch was acetylated or oxidized to produce biodegradable films. The starches were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and volumetric techniques. Results: Films made with acetylated starch presented more transparency. Native starch films had lower water solubility and greater stability in acid and alkaline conditions. The effect of alkaline conditions was higher than the acid conditions for the three types of films in all treatments. Conclusion: Physicochemical properties of the films were directly influenced by the amount of plasticizer used and by the starch modification type. The physicochemical and microbiological tests of the meat show the possible use of starch films for packaging. Antecedentes: El uso de plásticos derivados del petróleo se ha incrementado en los últimos a os. Estos materiales son resistentes y económicamente competitivos. Sin embargo, la contaminación ambiental causada por estos es muy alta. Por esta razón, algunas investigaciones se han centrado en la mitigación de este problema ambiental, principalmente a través del desarrollo y la utilización de polímeros biodegradables. La industria de la alimentación como un sector económico dinámico, está buscando alternativas ambientales y seguras para el bienestar de los consumidores. En el sector de envases, los materiales deben ser renovables, reciclables, innovadores y competitivos; las nuevas fuentes de almidón pueden ser una alternativa. Objetivo: El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la modificación química del almidón de arracacha y variar la concentración del plastificante como materia prima para la prod