Mechanical Characteristics of Tara Gum/Orange Peel Films Influenced by the Synergical Effect on the Rheological Properties of the Film Forming Solutions

Mixtures of Glycerol (GL), Orange Peel powder (OP), and Tara Gum (TG) water solutions were formulated to investigate their rheological properties and their influence on the mechanical and barrier performance of the resulting films. The formulations included TG concentrations of 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0%, combined with 30% and 50% GL, and OP contents of 0%, 20%, and 50%. Rheological parameters, such as the flow behavior index, consistency coefficient, storage modulus (G′), and loss modulus (G″), were determined through flow and oscillatory tests. Mechanical properties, including Young’s modulus, elongation at break, and tensile strength, were also assessed. The results demonstrated a strong correlation (R² = 0.840) between G′ and Young’s modulus, suggesting that solutions with greater internal cohesion produce structurally stiffer films. The synergy between TG and OP played a key role in optimizing the polymeric matrix, as TG contributed to stiffness and mechanical reinforcement, while OP enhanced structural cohesion and stability. In this system, GL functioned as a plasticizer, increasing flexibility at the expense of stiffness. These interactions resulted in a reduction in film solubility by up to 62.43%, an improvement in mechanical strength by 50.21%, and an increase in flexibility by 78.86%. Furthermore, barrier properties were enhanced due to the synergistic interaction between TG and OP, leading to lower water permeability and increased hydrophobicity. A regression model (R² = 0.928) confirmed that TG contributes to film stiffness, OP reinforces the matrix, and GL modulates flexibility. These findings highlight the critical role of rheological behavior in determining the mechanical and functional properties of the films. This study provides a novel analytical framework for improving biopolymeric coatings, proposing that analogous models can be extended to other systems to develop sustainable and high-performance materials for industrial applications.