Abstract
The main objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of chitosan and plasticizer concentrations and oil presence on the physical and mechanical properties of edible films. The effect of the film constituents and their in-between interactions were studied through the evaluation of permeability, opacity and mechanical properties. The effects of the studied variables (concentrations of chitosan, plasticizer and oil) were analysed according to a 23 factorial design. Pareto charts were used to identify the most significant factors in the studied properties (water vapour, oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability; opacity; tensile strength; elongation at break and Young’s modulus). When addressing the influence of the interactions between the films’ constituents on the properties above, results show that chitosan and plasticizer concentrations are the most significant factors affecting most of the studied properties, while oil incorporation has shown to be of a great importance in the particular case of transport properties (gas permeability), essentially due to its hydrophobicity. Water vapour permeability values (ranging from 1.62 × 10−11 to 4.24 × 10−11 g m−1 s−1 Pa−1) were half of those reported for cellophane films. Also the mechanical properties (tensile strength values from 0.43 to 13.72 MPa and elongation-at-break values from 58.62% to 166.70%) were in the range of those reported for LDPE and HDPE. Based on these results, we recommend the use of 1.5% (w/w) chitosan concentration to produce films, where the oil and plasticizer proportions will have to be adjusted in a case-by-case basis according to the use intended for the material. This work provides a useful guide to the formulation of chitosan-based film-forming solutions for food packaging applications.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Al-Ati, T., & Hotchkiss, J. H. (2003). The role of packaging film permselectivity in modified atmosphere packaging. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2003(51), 4133–4138.
Altiok, D., Altiok, E., & Tihminlioglu, F. (2010). Physical, antibacterial and antioxidant properties of chitosan films incorporated with thyme oil for potential wound healing applications. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 21(7), 2227–2236.
ASTM D 3985–02 (2002). Standard test method for oxygen gas transmission rate through plastic film and sheeting using a coulometric sensor. In: Annual book of ASTM. Philadelphia, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials.
ASTM D 882–91 (1991). Standard test methods for tensile properties of thin plastic sheeting. In Annual book of ASTM standards. Philadelphia, PA: American Society for Testing and Materials.
Bangyekan, C., Aht-Ong, D., & Srikulkit, K. (2006). Preparation and properties evaluation of chitosan-coated cassava starch films. Carbohydrate Polymers, 63, 61–71.
Caner, C., Vergano, P. J., & Wiles, J. L. (1998). Chitosan film mechanical and permeation properties as affected by acid, plasticizer and storage. Journal of Food Science, 63(6), 1049–1053.
Casariego, A., Souza, B. W. S., Cerqueira, M. A., Teixeira, J. A., Cruz, L., Díaz, R., et al. (2009). Chitosan/clay films’ properties as affected by biopolymer and clay micro/nanoparticles concentrations. Food Hydrocolloids, 23(7), 1895–1902.
Cerqueira, M. A., Sousa-Gallagher, M. J., Macedo, I., Rodriguez-Aguilera, R., Souza, B. W. S., Teixeira, J. A., et al. (2010). Use of galactomannan edible coating application and storage temperature for prolonging shelf-life of “Regional” cheese. Journal of Food Engineering, 97(4), 87–94.
Chick, J., & Ustunol, Z. (1998). Mechanical and barrier properties of lactic acid and rennet precipitated casein-based edible films. Journal of Food Science, 63, 1024–1027.
Chien, P., Sheu, F., & Yang, F. (2007). Effects of edible chitosan coating on quality and shelf life of sliced mango fruit. Journal of Food Engineering, 78, 225–229.
Diab, T., Biliaderis, C. G., Gerasopoulos, D., & Sfakiotakis, E. (2001). Physicochemical properties and application of pullunan edible films and coatings in fruit preservation. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 81, 988–1000.
Dutta, J., & Dutta, P. K. (2005). Chitin and chitosan: functional biopolymers of the 21st century. In P. K. Dutta (Ed.), Chitin and chitosan: opportunities & challenges (pp. 1–34). Contai: SSM Intl.Publication.
Dutta, P. K., Ravikumar, M. N. V., & Dutta, J. (2004). Chitin and chitosan for versatile applications. Journal of Macromolecular Science, Part C: Polymer Reviews Journal, 42, 307–354.
Dutta, P. K., Tripathi, S., Mehrotra, G. K., & Dutta, J. (2009). Perspectives for chitosan based antimicrobial films in food applications. Food Chemistry, 114, 1173–1182.
El Ghaouth, A. E., Arul, J., Ponnampalam, R., & Boulet, M. (1991). Use of chitosan coating to reduce water loss and maintain quality of cucumber and bell pepper fruits. Food Processing Technology, 15, 359–368.
Exama, A., Arul, J., Lencki, R. W., Lee, L. Z., & Toupin, C. (1993). Suitability of plastic films for modified atmosphere packaging of fruits and vegetables. Journal of Food Science, 58, 1365–1370.
Fabra, M. J., Talens, P., & Chiralt, A. (2008). Effect of alginate and λ-carrageenan on tensile properties and water vapour permeability of sodium caseinate–lipid based films. Carbohydrate Polymers, 74(3), 419–426.
Fairley, P. F. J., Monahanand, J. B. K., & German, J. M. (1996). Mechanical properties and water vapor permeability of edible films from whey protein isolate and sodium dodecyl sulfate. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 44, 438–443.
Fernandez-Saiz, P., Lagaron, J. M., & Ocio, M. J. (2009). Optimization of the biocide properties of chitosan for its application in the design of active films of interest in the food area. Food Hydrocolloids, 23(3), 913–921.
Garcia, M. A., Pinotti, A., & Zaritzky, N. E. (2006). Physicochemical, water vapour barrier and mechanical properties of corn starch and chitosan composite films. Starch, 58(9), 453–463.
Guillard, V., Broyart, B., Bonazzi, C., Guilbert, S., & Gontard, N. (2003). Preventing moisture transfer in a composite food using edible films: experimental and mathematical study. Journal of Food Science, 68(7), 2267–2277.
Hernandez-Munõz, P., López-Rubio, A., Del-Valle, V., Almenar, E., & Gavara, R. (2004). Mechanical and water barrier properties of glutenin films influenced by storage time. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 52, 79–83.
Kumar, M. N. V. R. (2000). A review of chitin and chitosan applications. Reactive and Functional Polymers, 46(1), 1–27.
Mali, S., Grossmann, M. V. E., Garcia, M. A., Martino, M. N., & Zaritzky, N. E. (2006). Effects of controlled storage on thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of plasticized films from different starch sources. Journal of Food Engineering, 75, 453–460.
McHugh, T. H., Avena-Bustillos, R. J., & Krochta, J. M. (1993). Hydrophilic edible film: modified procedure for water vapor permeability and explanation of thickness effects. Journal of Food Science, 58(4), 899–903.
McLaughlin, C. P., & O’Beirne, D. (1999). Respiration rate of a dry coleslaw mix as affected by storage temperature and respiratory gas concentrations. Journal of Food Science, 64(1), 116–119.
Miller, K. S., & Krochta, J. M. (1997). Oxygen and aroma barrier properties of edible films: a review. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 81, 228–237.
Möller, H., Grelier, S., Pardon, P., & Coma, V. (2004). Antimicrobial and physicochemical properties of chitosan-HPMC based films. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 52, 6585–6591.
Mujica-Paz, H., & Gontard, N. (1997). Oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability of wheat gluten film: effect of relative humidity and temperature. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 45(10), 4101–4105.
Neter, J., Kutner, M. H., Nachtsheim, C. J., & Wasserman, W. (1996). Applied linear regression models (pp. 78–85). Chicago: The McGraw-Hill Co.
Olivas, G. I., & Barbosa-Cánovas, G. V. (2008). Alginate–calcium films: water vapor permeability and mechanical properties as affected by plasticizer and relative humidity. LWT - Food science and technology, 41, 359–366.
Park, H. J., & Chinnan, M. S. (1995). Gas and water vapor barrier properties of edible films from protein and cellulosic materials. Journal of Food Engineering, 25, 497–507.
Park, S.-I., & Zhao, Y. (2004). Incorporation of a high concentration of mineral or vitamin into chitosan-based films. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 52, 1933–1939.
Ross, T. (1996). Indices for performance evaluation of predictive models in food microbiology. Journal of Applied Bacteriology, 81(5), 501–508.
Shahidi, F., Arachchi, J. K. V., & Jeon, Y. J. (1999). Food applications of chitin and chitosan. Trends in Food Science and Tecnhology, 10, 37–51.
Souza, B. W. S., Cerqueira, M. A., Ruiz, H. A., Martins, J. T., Casariego, A., Teixeira, J. A., et al. (2010). Effect of chitosan-based coatings on the shelf life of salmon (Salmo salar). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58(21), 11456–11462.
Srinivasa, P. C., Ramesh, M. N., & Tharanathan, R. N. (2007). Effect of plastizicers and fatty acids on mechanical and permeability characteristics of chitosan films. Food Hydrocolloids, 21, 1113–1122.
Tai, C. M., Li, R. K. Y., & Ng, C. N. (2000). Impact behaviour of polypropylene/polyethylene blends. Polymer Testing, 19(2), 143–154.
Vargas, M., Albors, A., Chiralt, A., & González-Martínez, C. (2009). Characterization of chitosan-oleic acid composite films. Food Hydrocolloids, 23, 536–547.
Wong, D. W. S., Gastineau, F. A., Gregorski, K. S., Tillin, S. J., & Pavlath, A. E. (1992). Chitosan lipid films: microstructure and surface energy. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 40, 540–544.
Wu, R.-L., Wang, X.-L., Wang, Y.-Z., Bian, X.-C., & Li, F. (2009). Cellulose/soy protein isolate blend films prepared via room-temperature ionic liquid. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 48(15), 7132–7136.
Yang, L., & Paulson, A. T. (2000). Effects of lipids on mechanical and moisture barrier properties of edible gellan film. Food Research International, 33, 571–578.
Ziani, K., Oses, J., Coma, V., & Maté, J. I. (2008). Effect of the presence of glycerol and Tween 20 on the chemical and physical properties of films based on chitosan with different degree of deacetylation. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 41(10), 2159–2165.
Acknowledgments
The author MA Cerqueira is a recipient of a fellowship from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, SFRH/BD/23897/2005) and BWS Souza is a recipient of a fellowship from the Coordenação Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Brazil (Capes, Brazil).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cerqueira, M.A., Souza, B.W.S., Teixeira, J.A. et al. Effects of Interactions between the Constituents of Chitosan-Edible Films on Their Physical Properties. Food Bioprocess Technol 5, 3181–3192 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-011-0663-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-011-0663-y