## 4 Conclusions  
The development of an edible film based on starch, chitosan, and maltodextrin capable of supporting a model drug such as acetaminophen was successfully achieved, opening the possibility of using this film for the delivery of other low-dose drugs. This formulation can be employed as an ODF. The physicochemical properties of the ODF demonstrated that the preparation method was optimal, ensuring miscibility between the polymeric components and achieving a homogeneous distribution of acetaminophen particles throughout the film, as corroborated by morphological analysis. The dispersion of the drug could be further improved through physical methods to prevent the accumulation of acetaminophen particles. The infrared spectroscopy technique demonstrated the intermolecular interactions between the polymeric chains and the active ingredient. Additionally, X-ray diffraction analysis revealed an expansion in the monoclinic unit cell, indicating drug ordering. However, long-range atomic ordering within the polymer blend was absent, confirming an amorphous structure, and no chemical reactions were induced by the drug. Thermal analysis using DSC confirmed phase transitions in the mixtures, including first-order transitions such as melting--where the drug's fusion enthalpy decreased--and second-order transitions such as the gelatinization (disappearance) of polymeric components. In contrast, the degradation temperatures of TPS-CH-M and TPS-CH-M-A exhibited similar behavior. The mechanical properties, including maximum strength, toughness, and elastic modulus, were slightly enhanced, suggesting that the mechanical behavior of TPS-CH-M-A resembles that of a composite material. Regarding the film's hydrophilic properties, as determined by contact angle measurements and subsequent water absorption analysis, a 28% increase in water absorption was observed in the film containing API compared to the TPS-CH-M control. Water facilitates the degradation of polysaccharides, thereby increasing the release of soluble solids and promoting drug release.  
The following supporting information can be downloaded at: [[https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/app15084084/s1](https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/app15084084/s1)]([https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/app15084084/s1](https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/app15084084/s1)), Figure S1: Picture of biopolymeric films with different API concentrations (90:10, 955, 97:3, 91:1, 99,5:0.5, 99.75:0.25, polymer-drug ratio).  
Conceptualization, C.C. and A.F.G; methodology, C.C.; software, C.C.; validation, C.C. and A.F.G.; formal analysis, C.C., A.F.G., N.R.G., L.P., L.S. and G.G.-P.; investigation, C.C., A.F.G., N.R.G., L.P. and L.S.; resources, C.C. and A.F.G; data curation, C.C. and A.F.G.; writing--original draft preparation, C.C., A.F.G., N.R.G., L.P. and L.S.; writing--review and editing, C.C., A.F.G. and G.G.-P.; visualization, C.C.; supervision, C.C. and A.F.G.; project administration, C.C.; funding acquisition, C.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research was funded by Vice-Rector for Research of Unidad Central del Valle del Cauca under project No. PI-1300-50-2-2025-11.  
Not applicable.  
The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.  
The authors extend thanks to [PERSON] for technical support.  
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.