Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #335235
Research Project: Conversion of Polysaccharides and Other Bio-based Materials to High-Value, Commercial Products

Location: Plant Polymer Research

Title: Preparation and characterisation of zein and chitosan edible film

Author
item PINHO, L - Embrapa
item OLIVEIRA, M - Embrapa
item OLIVEIRA, W - Embrapa
item FURTADO, ROSELAYNE - Embrapa
item BASTOS, M - Embrapa
item MUNIZ, C - Embrapa
item Biswas, Atanu
item Cheng, Huai

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/20/2016
Publication Date: 10/27/2016
Citation: Pinho, L.X., Oliveira, M., Oliveira, W.Q., Furtado, R.F., Bastos, M., Muniz, C., Biswas, A., Cheng, H.N. 2016. Preparation and characterisation of zein and chitosan edible film. Proceedings of the 25th Food Science and Technology Brazilian Congress (CBCTA) and the 10th CIGR Section IV International Technical Symposium, October 24-27, 2016, Gramado/RS, Brazil.

Interpretive Summary: There is continuing need for biodegradable food packaging films. One potential product is the blend of zein and chitosan. In this work, a careful study has been made of the thermal process whereby the film blend is made. The resulting films have been characterized by a range of analytical techniques. The information is useful for the future development of zein/chitosan packaging films.

Technical Abstract: The aim of this work was to develop zein/chitosan blends and study the heat effect on chitosan in the film-making process. The zein and chitosan solutions were prepared separately; two different chitosan solutions were produced, one heated at 80 ºC for 1 h, and another just stirred for 1 h and unheated. Thickness, color, water solubility, contact angle and mechanical properties of the blend films were investigated. The data indicated that heating the chitosan solution did not improve the physical characteristics of the film. Instead, the zein-chitosan films prepared with unheated chitosan showed better results for water solubility, contact angle and mechanical properties.