*2.2. Film Preparation*

The methodology proposed by Fonseca-García, Jiménez-Regalado [11] was followed for producing biodegradable films. The polymers were used in various concentrations: starch 5% (*w/w*), chitosan 1% (*w/w*), and poloxamer (0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% *w/w* of biopolymers). The polymer solutions were mixed in a ratio of 60:20:20, and glycerol was added as a plasticizer at 25% (*w* of glycerol/*w* of total polymers). Fifty milliliters of each polymer dispersion was poured into a plastic mold and dried at 60 ◦C (Duo-Vac Oven, Lab-Line Instruments, Inc., Melrose Park, IL, USA) for four hours. The dried films were peeled off and stored in airtight storage bags for 16 months in the dark and at ambient conditions with a relative humidity (RH) of 32.73% and temperature of 25 ◦C.
