MODIFYING PROPERTIES OF FEATHER KERATIN BIOPLASTIC FILMS USING KONJAC GLUCOMANNAN

摘要

In order to diminish the brittleness of pure feather keratin films, in this research, blended films with improved physical properties were prepared using konjac glucomannan (GM). The influence of the GM ratio in the blended films on their final characteristics was studied. The chemical composition, thermal properties, as well as water swelling, moisture absorption and surface hydrophilic/hydrophobic character of the films were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, optical microscopy and goniometry. The results showed that konjac glucomannan improved the breaking strength and Young's modulus, as well as the water and moisture sorption and surface water contact properties of the blended films. The present study revealed the great potential of combining waste feather keratin and konjac glucomannan for improving the essential characteristics of films developed for different fields of application, such as in food packaging (dry or wet food packaging concepts) or medical applications.