The Acidic Deep Eutectic Solvents for Starch Plasticization

For wider use of starch in the production of biodegradable plastics, it is necessary to search for new effective plasticizers. In this study, the effect of seven deep eutectic solvents (DES) based on choline chloride and carboxylic acid (levulinic, lactic, malonic, itaconic, malic, tartaric and citric) on the properties of potato starch were investigated. For this purpose, the thermal and rheological properties of starch/DES mixtures were evaluated. The viscosity of aqueous starch/DES solutions was determined. Subsequently, the starch films were obtained by casting. To determine the plasticization efficiency, mechanical properties, crystallinity and moisture resistance were evaluated. The correlation between the properties of the starch films and the molecular structure of DES acidic component was revealed.