The influence of the plasticizer on the quality of edible agar-based films

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the influence of glycerol on agar-based films. It has identified the optimal plasticizer concentration in order to obtain a film with superior characteristics unlike the one obtained 100% from agar. The film with the best properties was obtained from 1.5 g agar and 1 g glycerol: flexibility, smoothness, transparency, homogenous structure without any pores or cracks. Although having lower solubility than the film made entirely from agar, it is not suitable for packaging liquids orhigh humidity products; in this case, films will be enhanced with lipid compounds, which will increase the degree of hydrophobicity of the material.