Effects of Acylated High‐Amylose Maize Starch and <scp> <i>Xanthoceras sorbifolium</i> </scp> Husk Extract Loading on the Properties' Enhancement of Curdlan/Starch Film

ABSTRACT The growing emphasis on resource recycling has driven the development of bio‐based materials. This study overcame the limitations of independent research on natural polysaccharide blending and starch modification and prepared composite films using curdlan (CD) and high‐amylose maize starch (HAMS). The effects and mechanisms of starch acetylation (HAMSA) and butyrylation (HAMSB) modifications on the structure and properties of the films were investigated. The results showed that the composite system was stabilized by physical interactions. Acylation modification suppressed starch retrogradation and crystallization and modulated the film microstructure through hydrophobic interactions and steric hindrance. Among the starches, HAMSA exhibited the best compatibility with CD, forming a uniform and dense network structure, which endowed the film with outstanding mechanical properties (tensile strength: 31.02 MPa, elongation at break: 237.93%), optical transparency (transmittance at 660 nm: 9.66%) and oxygen barrier performance (O 2 permeability: 0.85 cm 3 /(m 2 ·24 h·0.1 MPa)). Furthermore, to develop functional films, antioxidant extract from Xanthoceras sorbifolium husk, an agricultural waste, was incorporated into the CD/HAMSA system. The resulting film exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging rate: 93.18%), as well as excellent UV‐blocking, oil resistance and optical transparency. This natural and bio‐based film not only realizes the high‐value utilization of agricultural waste but also provides a theoretical basis for the development of packaging materials for high‐oil and low‐moisture foods such as nut kernels and dried meat.