“Microstructural and physicochemical characterization of composite hydrocolloid biofilms”.

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

SCANNING

FAMS inc.

Lugar: Mahwah, N.J.; Año: 2005 vol. 27 p. 77 - 78

0161-0457

Environmental concerns enhance and stimulate the use of renewable resources producing economically convenient applications to maintain or even improve life quality. Low cost agricultural and seafood commodities, commonly found in developing countries, produce high amounts of surplus and wastes that are under-utilized sources of biopolymers. Research on alternative uses and reprocessing of these biopolymers will add commercial value and reactivate depleted economies, as well as reduce pollution problems. Specifically, several polysaccharides have good film forming capacities, including cellulose derivatives and chitosan. Cellulose and chitin are chemically treated to obtain cellulose derivatives and chitosan with higher water solubility and enhanced properties [1]. Because of its antifungic, good mechanical and oxygen barrier properties, chitosan is a promising edible film component. Composite films may be designed to take advantages of pure components. Even tough, as with synthetic polymers, the mechanical and barrier properties of composite biofilms strongly depend on the constituting polymer characteristics and their compatibility[1]. The objectives of the present work were: to develop composite biodegradable films based on chitosan and methylcellulose and to evaluate microstructure and mechanical and barrier properties of films.