Preparation and Characterization of Ecofriendly food Packaging Material by Smooth Hound Skin Gelatin Films/TiO2

Abstract

The effect of TiO2 on structural properties of gelatin films, obtained by solution casting method, was investigated. The results showed that TiO2 incorporation improved the UV barrier efficacy and increased the films opacity. The formation of new interactions between gelatin matrix and TiO2 particles were confirmed by FTIR analysis. A decrease in elongation at break was observed for gelatin-based film when TiO2 content increased, whereas the tensile strength increased. The microstructure analysis revealed heterogeneous structure due to the presence of a small aggregate with increasing the TiO2 ratio. The addition of TiO2 increased the contact angles, which could be related to the hydrophobic nature of the TiO2 incorporated films proved by the low swelling capacity of these films. In addition, incorporation of TiO2 particles into gelatin matrix improved barrier properties of gelatin films making it able to be used in water-soluble food or pharmaceutical packaging as a UV protective.