Enhancing Starch Film Properties Using Bacterial Nanocellulose-Stabilized Pickering Emulsions

This study aimed to address issues related to hydrophilicity, barrier properties, and mechanical performance in starch-based films by incorporating Pickering emulsions stabilized with nano-fibrillated bacterial cellulose (BC). Emulsions were added to the film-forming suspension at varying concentrations (1.0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, and 7.5% <i>v</i>/<i>v</i>) for comparison. The films were evaluated using water vapor permeability (WVP), contact angle, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and tensile tests. The results showed a significant reduction in film hydrophilicity, with the contact angle increasing from 49.7° ± 1.5 to 71.0° ± 1.4, and improved water vapor barrier properties, with WVP decreasing from 0.085 ± 0.04 to 0.016 ± 0.01 g·mm/h·m²·kPa. FTIR analysis confirmed the successful incorporation of the emulsion into the starch matrix. Among the tested concentrations, 2.5% provided an optimal balance, increasing hydrophobicity while maintaining mechanical strength. These findings demonstrate that Pickering emulsions are an effective strategy for enhancing the functional properties of starch films.