Study on Microstructure and Physical Properties of Composite Films Based on Chitosan and Methylcellulose

PINOTTI. A; GARCIA, M.A; MARTINO, M; ZARITZKY, N

FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS

Elsevier

Lugar: UK; Año: 2006

0268-005X

Biodegradable polymers like, chitosan (CH) and methylcellulose (MC) have good film forming capacities. The objectives of the present work were to characterize physical, mechanical and water vapor barrier properties and microstructure of films of CH, MC and their mixtures.             Suspensions of 2 % CH and 1% MC were mixed in different proportions. Films were obtained by casting. Film microstructure was characterized by SEM, X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy. Water vapor permeabilities for CH and MC films were 6.67±0.74×10-11 and 7.55±0.60×10-11 (g/sec m Pa) respectively; composite film permeabilities did not differ significantly from these values. CH films showed rigid characteristics (high elastic modulus and small elongation). Film flexibility increased with increasing MC content, the higher elongation and lower elastic modulus of composite films indicated the relevance of hydrocolloid interactions. Replacing MC by CH, a by-product obtained from wastes of the fishing industry, could help to reduce both environmental and economical problems.