Propiedades mecánicas y de barrera de peliculas biodegradables compuestas de almidón y quitosano.

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

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Congreso; XXII Congreso Interamericano de Ingeniería Química.V Congreso Argentino de Ingeniería Química; 2006

Asociación Argentina de Ingenieros Químicos

 Biodegradable flexible films were developed from corn starch (CS) and chitosan (CH) and obtained by casting. Film microstructure was characterized by SEM and X-ray diffraction; their mechanical and barrier properties were evaluated. Smooth surfaces, homogeneous and compact film structures were observed from microstructure studies using SEM. X- ray diffraction patterns showed an amorphous-crystalline structure. Water vapor permeability values of composite CS-CH films plasticized with glycerol ranged between 3.76 and 4.54× 10-11 g/sec m Pa, lower than those of the single component films. CS-CH films were resistant and their flexibility increased with glycerol addition. Tensile strength values of CS-CH films were comparable to those of low density and high density polyethylenes but lower than that obtained for cellophane, however, composite biodegradable films showed lower elongation at break values than the synthetic commercial ones. In conclusion, CS-CH films can be described as biofilms with a homogeneous matrix, stable structure and interesting water barrier and mechanical properties, with great possibilities of utilization, and with the advantage of biodegradability.