Biodegradable films based on chitosan and defatted Chlorella biomass: Functional and physical characterization. (1st February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deshmukh, Aarti R.; Aloui, Hajer; Khomlaem, Chanin; Negi, Abhishek; Yun, Jin-Ho; Kim, Hee-Sik; Kim, Beom Soo
• Is Part Of: Food chemistry. Volume 337(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02-01
• Subjects: Chitosan -- Defatted Chlorella biomass -- Mechanical properties -- Water barrier properties -- Soil biodegradability; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127777
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8146

Abstract

Highlights: Chitosan-based films with enhanced properties were prepared by adding defatted Chlorella biomass (DCB). The addition of DCB improved the mechanical and barrier properties of chitosan/DCB films. The tensile strength of chitosan/DCB films was improved by 235% with the incorporation of 25 wt% DCB. Synthesized chitosan/DCB films were highly biodegradable. Abstract: Biodegradable films based on chitosan, glycerol, and defatted Chlorella biomass (DCB) were prepared and characterized in terms of thermal stability, mechanical, water barrier, and optical properties. Increasing DCB content from 5 to 25 wt% increased tensile strength of chitosan films by 235%. The incorporation of DCB decreased both moisture content and swelling degree of chitosan/defatted Chlorella biomass (Cs/DCB) films. Furthermore, increasing the content of defatted algal biomass decreased light transmission and reduced water vapor permeability of composite films by more than 60%. As confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared analysis, such improvement in functional and physical properties is mainly due to the homogeneous and uniform distribution of DCB into the polymeric matrix along with the establishment of strong hydrogen bond interactions between chitosan and algal biomass constituents. Moreover, Cs/DCB composite films showed more than 50% of degradation in 60 days soil burial test.