Interactions, structures, and functions of pomegranate peel reinforced starch film

This work aimed to exploit the effects of pomegranate peel (PP) addition (10 %) and homogenization process (0-12,000 rpm) on the film-forming behavior and interactions of starch film to improve its microstructures and properties. Microrheology results showed that the viscosity of the film suspension was reduced by homogenization, and the amylopectin aggregation was restricted by PP particles under film formation. This helped improve the accessibility of starch and PP, increasing the hydrogen bond energy in the composites from 18.12 to 19.35 kJ/mol and promoting the ester bonds as confirmed by the FTIR results. As a result, the starch film reinforced by PP and homogenization showed a uniform and compact microstructure with reduced water activity, increased UV-blocking capacity (from 67.46 % to 90.11 %), enhanced mechanical resistance, and reduced water vapor permeability (from 4.70 to 2.21 × 10^-10·g·m^-1·s^-1·Pa^-1). Additionally, the starch film with 10 % PP also presented superior antimicrobial properties and antioxidant activity with rates of over 86 %, providing an effective strawberry preservation function.