Improvement on Physical Properties of Pullulan Films by Novel Cross‐Linking Strategy |
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| Authors: | Chieh‐Ting Chen Kuan‐I Chen Hsin‐Han Chiang Yu‐Kuo Chen Kuan‐Chen Cheng |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Graduate Inst. of Food Science Technology, Natl. Taiwan Univ, Taipei, Taiwan;2. Inst. of Biotechnology, Natl. Taiwan Univ, Taipei, Taiwan;3. Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Fu Jen Catholic Univ, New Taipei City, Taiwan;4. Dept. of Food Science, Natl. Pingtung Univ. of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan;5. Dept. of Medical Research, China Medical Univ. Hospital, China Medical Univ, Taichung, Taiwan;6. Dept. of Food Science, Rutgers Univ, New Brunswick, N.J., U.S.A |
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| Abstract: | Pullulan based films possess several advantages, including high transparency, low toxicity, good biodegradability, good mechanical properties, and low oxygen permeability, are preferable for food packaging. The application of pullulan films on food packaging, however, has inherent disadvantage of high water solubility. In this study, glutaraldehyde and glycerol were used as the cross‐linking reagent and the plasticizer respectively to improve water resistance and physical properties of the pullulan films. Effects of cross‐linking degree on physical properties, including water absorptions, swelling behaviors, water vapor permeability and tensile strengths of films were evaluated. FTIR results demonstrated that the pullulan films were successfully cross‐linked by glutaraldehyde. The tensile strength of pullulan films could be enhanced significantly (P < 0.05) when glutaraldehyde was between 1% and 5% (w/w); nevertheless, the amount of glutaraldehyde above 20% (w/w) led to films brittleness. With the addition of glycerol as a plasticizer enhanced the extensibility of films as well as the hydrophilicity, resulting in higher water vapor permeability. |
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| Keywords: | cross‐linking glutaraldehyde materials property plasticizer pullulan film |
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