Effect of plasticizer type and concentration on properties of new biodegradable film based on fine powder of wheat

Fine powder of wheat is a natural polymer which is obtained from wheat milling process and due to decreasing the quality of flour separation of it is inevitable. Considering the importance of applying of industrial wastes, the aim of this study was using fine powder of wheat as a raw new material in the production of biodegradable film and evaluation of type and concentration of plasticizer (glycerol and sorbitol) in different the concentration (25, 35 and 45%) on physical and mechanical properties of produced films. Results of this studied showed that by increasing plasticizer concentration the thickness, moisture content, water solubility and flexibility of film decreased. Regarding to strong elasticity properties of the films prepared with sorbitol at low concentrations evaluation of tensile strength and water vapor properties was impossible. Increasing the concentration of glycerol compared with sorbitol had more impact on increasing of the humidity and water solubility. Water vapor properties of bio-films containing 35% sorbitol (0.51 × 10-10 gm-1s-1Pa) was lower compared to film containing glycerol at similar concentrations (1.49 × 10-10 gm-1s-1Pa).With increasing concentrations of glycerol, elongation of produced film increased from 31% to 40%, meanwhile maximum elongation for contains sorbitol was 0.16%. Based on the results obtained from this studied can be express that fine powder of wheat of had good potential for the produce of bio-films for food packaging and glycerol introduced as better plasticizer respect to sorbitol in fine powder of wheat based films.