2.2.4.2. Mechanical properties. The mechanical properties of the films (tensile strength, TS; elongation-at-break, EB; Young’s modulus, YM) were evaluated by tensile tests carried out in a texture analyzer (TA.XT2,Stable 20 Micro Systems,Surrey,UK) equipped with adequate tensile test attachments. Films were cut into strips with equal dimensions(25mm×100mm)and stored at room temperature in a desiccator with controlled R.H.(53%) for 7 days,before measurements. The distance between the grips was set at 90mm (results were identical to those obtained at 100mm;not shown)and the applied test speed fixed at 0.2mm/s, while force(N) and deformation (%strain) were recorded.These tests were run immediately after removing the film specimens from the desiccators,to minimize adsorption/desorption of water by them.At least five replicates were considered for each film formulation.