Biopolymer Films Based on Chitosan and Polyethylene Glycol with Pineapple Leaf Fiber for Food Packaging Applications

摘要

Pineapple is a tropical plant native to South East Asia. Pineapple leaf fiber is rich in cellulose, relatively inexpensive and abundantly available. Furthermore, it has the potential for polymer reinforcement, and is more environmentally friendly than films that are reinforced with the artificial additives. The objectives of the present work were to compare the mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of biopolymer films, chitosan and polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000), with and without incorporating pineapple leaf fibers which had been chemically treated in an alkaline solution. The water vapor permeability (WVP), % soluble matter (SM), moisture index, tensile strength (TS) and % elongation (E) were investigated in these films. The composite yellow film exhibited an excellent water vapor permeability of 5.14 1.87 g mm m 2 day 1kPa . The solubility was 65.00-0.97% while the moisture index was in the range of 10.50-31.20%. The results suggested that biodegradable films could be advantageously used to replace polymer films in the packaging of freshly processed vegetables and thereby reduce the negative environmental impact of polymeric films.