Preparation and characteristics of mechanical and functional properties of starch/Plantago psyllium seeds mucilage films

The aim of the present study was to reinforce starch-based films with psyllium mucilage in order to obtain natural, edible and biodegradable films with improved mechanical and functional properties. The rheological properties of film forming solutions can be controlled by the concentration levels of added mucilage. The addition of mucilage reduced decomposition of the system, which made these films more thermally stable. Those starch mucilage films were sufficiently transparent and exhibited a low aqueous solubility and as showed SEM micrographs in the structure of such films appeared spherical particles, probably microcapsules. The addition of mucilage did see an improvement in the mechanical properties of those films made of mucilage, especially at a higher concentration of starch (4% rather than 3%).