Abstract

Mr. Lokesh B. Fulpagare*, Dr. Tanvirahmad Shaikh, Mr. Kalpeshkumar Wagh, Mr. Chetan Jain and Mr. Jayeshkumar Shelke

ABSTRACT

Biodegradable films were developed using red lentil, water chestnut and tamarind seed starches as base raw materials. The physical and mechanical properties of the film were compared with gelatin and HPMC films. Starches with high amylase content had excellent films and hard capsule forming abilities and properties compared to the starches with low amylase content. The tensile strength value of starch film was not significantly different from gelatin and HPMC films. In the case of elongation properties, starch films lower value than gelatin film, but higher than HPMC films. The physical viscosity characterization of vegetable starches indicated that the starches with high amylase content produced better biopolymers films and capsule compared to the starches with low amylase and high amylopectin content. Biodegradable films and hard capsule for pharmaceutical applications could be developed from vegetable starches with similar physical and mechanical properties as synthetic and gelatin product.