Chitosan-gelatin composites and bi-layer films with potential antimicrobial activity

M. PEREDA; A.G. PONCE; N.E. MARCOVICH; R.A. RUSECKAITE; J. F. MARTUCCI

FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Año: 2011 vol. 25 p. 1372 - 1381

0268-005X

The aims of this work were to develop composite (Ge-Chi) and bi-layer (Ge/Chi) edible and biodegradable films based on gelatin and chitosan. Physicochemical properties such as water resistance, transparency and color were analyzed. Composite and bi-layer systems were uniform, homogeneous and thin; they showed a compact structure indicating a good compatibility between components, which could interact by strong hydrogen bonding, as was confirm by FTIR. Water vapor permeability (WVP) was determined. Both, bi-layer and laminated systems resulted effective alternatives to reduce WVP of chitosan control film. The tensile strength of composite and bilayer system did not differ significantly (P>0.05), but elongation at break of composite films was 40% higher (P