Gurkirat KaurPrastuty2023-12-112023-12-112023Prastuty (2023). Development and Characterization of Starch Based Bionanocomposite Films for Packaging of Perishables (Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810202584The present study aims to develop and characterize montmorillonite (MMT-1.5% & 2.5% w/v) and starch nanocrystals (SNCs-0.5%, 1% & 2% w/v) based corn starch films loaded with lemongrass oil nanoemulsion (LNE-2% v/v) for their mechanical, barrier, morphological, antimicrobial and biodegradable properties. Results revealed that film reinforced with 1.5% MMT and 1% SNCs greatly enhanced the tensile properties and water resistance; however, further increasing concentration of MMT and SNCs reduced tensile strength and made films brittle and opaque. Incorporation of LNE resulted in formation of cavities in film’s microstructure; consequently, enhancement in mechanical and barrier properties were not as evident as Starch/MMT or Starch/SNCs based films. Moreover, synergistic effect of nanofillers and LNE improved antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed that observed modifications were related to intercalation and exfoliation between corn starch and nanofillers in the presence of LNE. Influence of various bionanocomposite films on the quality characteristics of strawberries, chicken patties and paneer stored at 4ºC was also determined. Amongst bionanocomposites utilized, MMT/LNE films exhibited best preservative effects on quality of food perishables, owing to its better barrier properties than SNCs/LNE films. MMT/LNE based bionanocomposites exhibited least changes in physicochemical, biochemical and microbiological properties of food perishables. Results illustrated that SNCs and MMT reinforced bionanocomposite films loaded with LNE possess the potential to be used an active packaging to increase the shelf stability of food perishables at refrigerated temperature and can be used as a feasible alternative for petroleum based non-biodegradable food packaging materials.EnglishThesis