ARS | Publication request: MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND WATER VAPOR PERMEABILITY OF BIODEGRADABLE FILMS FROM NATURAL POLYMERS

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 2, 2005
Publication Date: March 2, 2005
Citation: Rodriguez H, D.L., Imam, S.H., Galan, L.J., Rutiaga Q, M.O., Arevalo, K.N. 204. Mechanical properties and water vapor permeability of biodegradable films from natural polymers. BioEnvironmental Polymer Society International Meeting in Monterrey, Mexico, December 5-10, 2004. Paper No. 64 (Abstract).

Technical Abstract: Food packaging materials protect food from physical, chemical and biological hazards, such as moisture, light, gases, aromas, microorganisms, rodents and insects, by maintaining its quality thereby prolonging shelf life. Contrary to the importance of packaging functions, packaging materials generate approximately 30% by weight of municipal solid waste and account for two-thirds of the volume in trash cans due to their bulk. Among the 30 % packaging waste, 13% is due to plastic materials. The biodegradable films have been used like alternative packaging systems. The objective of this study was to characterize films and to evaluate their physical properties during 3 months storage. Films made up of chitosan-anionic starch and two types of clay were prepared by casting method using polyethylene glycol as a plasticizer and their mechanical and water permeation properties were evaluated. A decrease in both the tensile strength and percent elongation was observed. The water vapor permeability was significantly different for two clay types used in this study during a storage time of 60 days.