Composite films based on chitosan and epigallocatechin gallate grafted chitosan: Characterization, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities

摘要

The effect of chitosan-epigallocatechin gallate conjugate (CS-EGCG) at various ratios (10:0, 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4 and 5:5, w/w) and glycerol (30 and 50%, w/w) on mechanical, barrier and optical properties of CS films and CS/CS-EGCG composite films was studied. CS films added with 30 or 50% glycerol (CS-30G or CS-50G, respectively) had high tensile strength and elongation at break. Generally, CS/CS-EGCG composite films had higher resistance to light transmission than CS films (p 0.05). With augmenting concentrations of CS-EGCG, films with lower lightness (L*) and higher redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) were obtained. Therefore, among composite films, those with CS/CS-EGCG ratio of 8:2, containing 30 or 50% glycerol, were selected for further analyses in comparison to CS films. Composite films, regardless of glycerol levels, showed higher antioxidant and antimicrobial activities as compared to CS films (p 0.05). Overall, CS/CS-EGCG (8:2) composite films had satisfactory physical properties with increased antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and could serve as promising packaging for food shelf-life extension.