Properties of Cast Films Made of Chayote (Sechium edule Sw.) Tuber Starch Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals

In this study, cellulose (C) and cellulose nanocrystals (CN) were blended with chayotextle starch to prepare films for the casting method. The films were stored at different temperatures and relative humidity (RH), and were analyzed by mechanical tests, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and biodegradation rate. The results of the mechanical characterization showed the highest values in the films with CN. In general, both type of films (with C and CN) presented an increase in the mechanical properties when the RH and temperature increased. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the films did not show any appreciable change from the effect of RH and temperature during storage. The thermogravimetric test showed that the RH and temperature of the storage did not affect the loss mass rate. The biodegradation of the films with C and CN was higher by temperature than RH, but at the longest storage times (up to 20 days) no change was observed by storage condition.