A means is developed for forming polysaccharide-based composites with useful material properties through use of unmodified and chemically modified natural rubber latex (NRL). Starch was used as a model for polysaccharides. The NRL was modified by grafting with dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) to form a latex with cationic water-soluble polymeric 'hairs' of polyDMAEMA, which should form hydrogen bonds with starch. Starch solutions, containing 20% glycerol as a film-forming aid, and the modified NRL were mixed and films allowed to form. The unmodified latex acted only as filler in the starch films, but with modified NRL, the mechanical properties of the films were significantly altered. The elastic modulus was greatly decreased and strain at break greatly increased. The glass transition temperature increased from -48 degreesC to -32 degreesC, suggesting significant compatibilization. Freeze-fracture TEM micrographs indicate strong interactions between the surface of the modified NRL and starch. The polyDMAEMA chains are more hydrophilic than the starch, and the addition of grafted latex results in a 20degrees drop of the water contact angle of the formed film, and a 25% increase of the water absorption compared to the native starch; with unmodified NRL, the opposite effect was observed. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.