Effect of Chitosan Addition in Whey-based Biodegradable Films

Abstract

Whey, a by-product of dairy industry, is a feedstock widely employed in the production of biodegradable films. However, these films present some limitations when considering the performance of synthetic polymers, especially biological transformation by decomposition. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of chitosan addition to whey-based films to improve films physical-chemical properties and resistance to microbial degradation. The results showed that there was an interaction effect between the chitosan concentration and the storage time for the physical-chemical properties of elongation at break and opacity. There was statistical difference among the formulations; however, for the moisture content and film thickness, there was no interaction effect between the formulation and the storage time. The films with 1.5 and 3.0 wt.% chitosan presented a yellowish hue, characteristic of the polysaccharide; this could also be detected by SEM analysis. The films presented an excellent biodegradability, being decomposed in about 8 days. Considering all chitosan contents tested had similar performances, the chitosan content of 0.15 wt.% was the one with the better cost-benefit relation.

Synthesis, Characterization of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Chitosan-ZnO/CuO Nanoparticles Film and Its Biological Evaluation as An Antibacterial Agent of Staphylococcus aureus

“…Figure 12a shows the synthesis of film C from the mixture of 0.1 g (ZnO/CuO nanoparticles), 10 mL (PVA 2.5%), and 0.1 g (chitosan) caused the surface morphology of film C to become rough, have a cavity and fracture. The surface morphology of Film D (the amount of chitosan is twice that of ZnO/CuO nanoparticles) is different than film C and E. The surface morphology of film D was less homogeneous causing the high concentration of chitosan [56]. The amount of ZnO/CuO nanoparticles is twice that of chitosan at film E, the fracture surface is seen the film E (Figure 12c).…”

Pectin-based films with thyme essential oil: production, characterization, antimicrobial activity, and biodegradability

“…The films' degradability was evaluated using a standard soil, following the ASTM G160-12 standard [15] . Film samples made using the optimal formulation were packed with inert net packaging to protect the samples against physical damage and help identify them in the soil.…”

“…Mendes et al [60] , producing thermoplastic starch films containing pectin and lemongrass essential oil, observed that the produced films took 20 days to decompose when exposed to soil. Leonardelli et al [15] , evaluating the biodegradability of whey-based films by adding chitosan as an antimicrobial agent, reported a degradation time of 8 days for films when disposed of in soil. Film degradability was similar to those of other biopolymeric films and superior to commercial films, considering that plastic films have degradation times longer than one year, even when discarded in landfills [61] .…”

“…Among the biopolymers reportedly used in the production of biofilms are alginate [8][9] , chitosan [10][11] , soy protein [12] , whey [13][14][15] , and pectin [2,16] , among others. Research also focuses on adding antimicrobial and antioxidant agents to film formulations.…”