Physicochemical properties of starch nanocomposite films enhanced by self-assembled potato starch nanoparticles

• Potato starch nanoparticles (SNPs) with diameter of 15–30 nm were fabricated.
• Starch films containing 6% SNPs showed highest values for tensile strength.
• Melting temperature of films increased with the increasing of SNPs.
• The nanocomposite films exhibited enhanced water barrier properties.

The aim of this research was to enhance the physicochemical properties of pea starch-based nanocomposite films by incorporating with different levels of potato starch nanoparticles (SNPs). The SNPs prepared by self-assembly of short amylose were characterized by SEM. The spherical SNPs with a diameter of 15–30 nm were observed. X-ray diffraction results showed that the SNPs displayed higher relative crystallinity than native starch. It was found that the addition of SNPs to starch films enhanced the mechanical properties. With incorporation of 6% SNPs, the tensile strength of film was increased from 8.8 MPa to 15.0 MPa. The nanocomposite films presented reductions in both water vapor permeability and water solubility. Compared with control film, the melting temperature of the nanocomposite films increased with increasing SNPs content, indicating improved thermal stability. The newly developed pea starch films impregnated with potato SNPs could have potential use in degradable packaging applications.