Antioxidant and UV shielding starch-based films plasticized using choline chloride and self-polymerized dopamine: effect of starch acetylation and polydopamine amount

Nowadays, the properties of petroleum-derived plastics remain challenging to replicate with alternative materials. However, their extensive use imposes a significant environmental burden, necessitating an urgent transition towards sustainable solutions to mitigate their impact. In this work, active biodegradable films were produced from arrowroot starch, both in its native form and chemically modified by acetylation. Choline chloride (Ch), a natural ionic compound, and small amounts of polydopamine (pDA) introduced by self-polymerization of dopamine were chosen as plasticizers to obtain flexible films with antioxidant and UV shielding properties. The effect on film properties of starch acetylation (substitution degree of 0.08) and the amount of dopamine added (1 wt% or 5 wt% relative to starch) was investigated. Films prepared from polydopamine showed excellent antioxidant and UV barrier properties. In addition, films prepared with 1 % dopamine maintained good antioxidant and barrier properties with greater transparency.