Synthesis and properties of biodegradable film materials based on modified starch

Biodegradable polymer composite materials (PCM) based on modified starch and chitosan were obtained. Starch was modified by graft polymerization with acrylamide, chitosan with enanthaldehyde with the formation of Schiff bases, which ensured the combination of polysaccharides in an aqueous solution in the pH range of 3.5–5.8. The physicochemical and structural properties, as well as the biocompatibility and biodegradability of PCM were studied. The films based on modified polysaccharides are characterized by increased strength characteristics compared to the parent components. With the weight ratio of the starch/acrylamide grafted copolymer and chitosan being equal, the ultimate tensile strength of the composite films was 65 MPa at a strain of 11%. The films completely biodegraded under the action of Aspergillus niger micromycete within 4 weeks. The composite biocompatibility was confirmed by the adhesion and growth on the films of the hTERT BJ-5ta cell line fibroblasts. The obtained composite is promising as a packaging and biomedical material.