Preparation of Chitosan-Gelatin Blend Films for Packaging Applications

摘要

With the goal of improving the physico-chemical performance, chitosan was blended with gelatin and their main physical and functional properties were characterized. The effect of blending on various properties such as water solubility, apparent density, moisture content and transparency were analyzed. The films were found to be transparent, thin, consistent homogeneous and compact structure signifying a good compatibility between components, interacting by strong hydrogen bonding validated by FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD). The light barrier measurements obtained at 600 nm are of low value indicating that films are really transparent in accordance to naked eye observations. The key feature of the synthesized blend films is: their lower values of moisture content which may prove them of potential application in packing industries.