Barrier and Mechanical Properties of Edible Gelatin Based Films

DANIEL RICARDO ERCOLI; GRACIELA SUSANA GOIZUETA; NOEMI ANDREUCETTI

Salvador, Brasil

Congreso; 23rd Polymer Processing Society Annual Meeting (PPS23); 2007

The aim of this work es to obtain gelatin based films containing different plasticizers (Glycerol and Triethanolamine) and inulin-type fructane and to study their mechanical and water vapor and oxygen barrier properties. Films were obtained by casting and showed good film forming properties. They were clear, transparent and with a very smooth  surface as observed by SEM. Mechanical properties such as elastic module and elongation at break were measured in an Instron machine in the tensile  mode. It was found that films with glycerol are stronger than films with TEA but the last films exhibit a better ductility. Oxygen barrier propierties were studied in a Mocon Ox- Tran 2/21 at different temperatures and relative humidities. All of the films prepared exhibited very good oxygen barrier properties. Water vapor transmission was determined by the desiccant method. It was found that glycerol-containing films are poorer water vapor barrier, which could be assingned to its higher hygroscopicity.