The aim of this study was to review the mechanical properties (at break) of plasticized starch-based materials from the literature. The methodology relied on the use of a graphic tool allowing a direct comparison of the strength and strain at break. The mechanical properties of the materials were systematically compared with those of glycerol-plasticized starches at 57% relative humidity. Because all the systems were equivalent, whatever the strategies were, several starch development approaches were examined that depended on the required performance at break. First, classical formulations described in the literature (under comparable conditions) were tested. A smoothing of the mechanical performances was obtained, and they were surprisingly similar to those of the simple glycerol-plasticized, starch-based material family. (C) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.