Production and characterization of chitosan and glycerol-chitosan films

CASTELLÓ, M.E.; ANBINDER, P.S.; AMALVY, J.I.; PERUZZO, P.J.

MRS Advances

Materials Research Society, Cambridge University Press

Lugar: Cambridge ; Año: 2018

This work presents the study of the isolation of chitin from residues ofthe Patagonian shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri), and its subsequent conversion tochitosan under different reaction conditions. The obtained products werecharacterized by evaluating their molecular weight (Mw) and degree ofdeacetylation (DD). In addition, chitosan- glycerol films were prepared (5, 10and 20 wt% of plasticizer content), using a neutralization process during the unmoldingstep. The films were characterized by infrared (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectroscopyand scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, its behavior against water(contact angle and water sorption) and mechanical properties were also studied.It was observed that 72 hours of reaction time at 120 °C were necessary toobtain a chitosan sample with the desirable solubility properties from thechitin extracted from Pleoticus muelleri shells. The chitosan-glycerol filmsturned out to be systems of high transparency and their properties depended onthe plasticizer content, obtaining homogeneous systems for concentrations up to10 wt%. In addition, the films were found to be more hydrophilic than thereference material, with smaller contact angle and greater water absorptionvalues, obtaining more flexible films in view of their mechanical properties.