Improved barrier and mechanical properties of novel hydroxypropyl methylcellulose edible films with chitosan/tripolyphosphate nanoparticles

• Published in: Journal of food engineering Vol. 92; no. 4; pp. 448 - 453
• Main Authors: de Moura, Márcia R., Aouada, Fauze A., Avena-Bustillos, Roberto J., McHugh, Tara H., Krochta, John M., Mattoso, Luiz H.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2009; [New York, NY]: Elsevier Science Pub. Co; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; chemical structure; chitosan; Chitosan nanoparticles; Edible films; Food engineering; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Handling, storage, packaging, transport; Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; mechanical properties; methylcellulose; nanoparticles; nanotechnology; particle size distribution; permeability; scanning electron microscopy; Sodium tripolyphosphate; tensile strength; thermal stability; thickness; transmission electron microscopy; tripolyphosphates; water vapor; Chitosan nanoparticles; Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; Sodium tripolyphosphate; Edible films; Sodium; Edible film; Mechanical properties; Conditioning; Cellulose(methyl); Chitosan; Edible packaging
• ISSN: 0260-8774; 1873-5770
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2008.12.015

Chitosan/tripolyphosphate nanoparticles were prepared and incorporated in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) films. FT-IR and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses of the nanoparticles, mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, thermal stability, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the films were analyzed. Incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles in the films improved their mechanical and film barrier properties significantly. The chitosan nanoparticles tend to occupy the empty spaces in the pores of the HPMC matrix, increasing the collapse of the pores and thereby improving film tensile properties and water vapor permeability. The thermal stability of the films increased with addition of nanoparticles. This study is the first to investigate the use of CS-TPP nanoparticles for the purpose of strengthening HPMC films.