Oxygen permeability of amylose and amylopectin films

The effects of water and glycerol contents on oxygen permeability of starch polymer films were investigated. Starch films were prepared of amylose and amylopectin by a casting technique and oxygen permeability was analysed at 20°C. Glycerol contents were 0, 10, 20 or 30% while water content varied from 8 to 36%. Under ambient humidity both amylose and amylopectin films were excellent oxygen barriers, as good as the commercial ethylene vinyl alcohol film which was studied as a reference material. It was observed that the film permeabilities were determined by water content; below 15% water both starch films were good oxygen barriers, above 20% water the barrier property was lost.