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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Healthy Processed Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #338636

Research Project: New Sustainable Processing Technologies to Produce Healthy, Value-Added Foods from Specialty Crops

Location: Healthy Processed Foods Research

Title: Physical characterization of biodegradable films based on chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol and Opuntia mucilage

Author
item DOMINGUEZ-MARTINEZ, BLANCA - Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro De Desarrollo De Productos Bioticos (CEPROBI)
item MARTINEZ-FLORES, HECTOR - Universidad Michoacana De San Nicolas De Hidalgo
item Berrios, Jose
item OTONI, CAIO - Universidade Federal De Sao Carlos
item Wood, Delilah - De
item VELAZQUEZ, GONZALO - Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro De Desarrollo De Productos Bioticos (CEPROBI)

Submitted to: Journal of Polymers and the Environment
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/30/2016
Publication Date: 10/4/2016
Citation: Dominguez-Martinez, B.M., Martinez-Flores, H., Berrios, J.D., Otoni, C.G., Wood, D.F., Velazquez, G. 2016. Physical characterization of biodegradable films based on chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol and Opuntia mucilage. Journal of Polymers and the Environment. 25(3):683-691.

Interpretive Summary: This study aimed to develop and characterize biodegradable films containing mucilage, chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in different concentrations. The films were prepared by casting on glass plates using glycerol as plasticizer. Mechanical properties, water vapor and oxygen barrier, as well as the interaction with water, were measured. The compatibility of the film-forming components and the uniformity of the films were determined. The glycerol and mucilage allowed obtaining more water-soluble films. The barrier properties of the films made from 100 % chitosan were similar to composed films containing PVA up to 40 %. The results of this study suggest that the interaction between chitosan and mucilage could increase water vapor permeability. The films prepared from either 100 % chitosan or PVA showed a more water-soluble behavior as compared to the composed films. The films were homogenous indicating a good compatibility of the components in the films.

Technical Abstract: This study aimed to develop and characterize biodegradable films containing mucilage, chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in different concentrations. The films were prepared by casting on glass plates using glycerol as plasticizer. Mechanical properties, water vapor and oxygen barrier, as well as the interaction with water, were measured. The compatibility of the film-forming components and the uniformity of the films were determined by zeta potential and SEM, respectively. The glycerol and mucilage allowed obtaining more hydrophilic films. The barrier properties of the films made from 100 % chitosan were similar to composed films containing PVA up to 40 %. The results of this study suggest that the interaction between chitosan and mucilage could increase water vapor permeability. The films prepared from either 100 % chitosan or PVA showed a more hydrophobic behavior as compared to the composed films. The films were homogenous since no boundary or separation of components was observed, indicating a good compatibility of the components in the films.