Cellulose microfibrils from potato tuber cells: Processing and characterization of starch-cellulose microfibril composites

Abstract

The ultrastructure and morphology of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuber cells were investigated by optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopies. After removal of starch granules, pectins and hemicelluloses were solubilized under alkaline conditions. The alkaline insoluble residue consisted mainly of primary cell wall cellulose, which can be disintegrated under shearing to produce a homogenized microfibril suspension, as reported in a previous work.40 Composite materials were processed from this potato cellulose microfibril suspension, gelatinized potato starch as a matrix and glycerol as a plasticizer. After blending and casting, films were obtained by water evaporation. The mechanical properties and water absorption behavior of the resulting films were investigated, and differences were observed depending on the glycerol, cellulose microfibrils, and relative humidity content. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 2080–2092, 2000