The Plasticizing Effect of Choline Dihydrogencitrate on Starch-Based Films

For the first time, choline dihydrogencitrate salt (CCT) was tested as a sole plasticizer for starch-based materials. The effect of CCT content on the physicochemical properties of the obtained films was evaluated. The FTIR and XRD measurements revealed that CCT exhibited the ability to disrupt the crystalline regions of potato starch. Also, DMTA and the mechanical test results showed that CCT acted as a primary plasticizer, leading to increased flexibility of starch-based films. Considering the transparency and mechanical properties, the efficient content of CCT was 25 wt.%. The obtained materials exhibited lower moisture absorption levels when compared to other common starch plasticizers, which makes them interesting as less moisture-sensitive films for packaging.