Preparation and functional properties of fish gelatin–chitosan blend edible films

Preparation and characterization of TiO2-Ag loaded fish gelatin-chitosan antibacterial composite film for food packaging

In this study, fish gelatin and chitosan were used as the film-forming substrate, and different concentrations of TiO₂-Ag were added to prepare composite films. The physicochemical characteristics and microstructure of the films were studied. The results showed that the addition of TiO₂-Ag significantly increased the water solubility of the film. When the TiO₂-Ag concentration was increased to 0.5%, the film had the best antibacterial ability and the lowest light transmittance (54.6%), but the tensile strength of the film was the lowest, decreased from 17.39 MPa to 9.014 MPa. The water vapor permeability of film first decreased and then increased, and the minimum value was 2.63 × 10^-12 g·cm/cm²·s·Pa when the concentration of TiO₂-Ag was 0.4%. XRD, XPS, and ATR-FTIR results showed that the presence of TiO₂-Ag crystals in the film could enhance the interaction between the components, and FE-SEM results showed that the film had a very smooth and uniform surface. In general, FG/Ch/TiO₂-Ag composite film is expected to be used in the food packaging industry.

Acceptability and Societal Impact of the Introduction of Bioplastics as Novel Environmentally Friendly Packaging Materials in Ireland

Novel environmentally friendly alternatives for packaging materials such as bioplastics are being developed to mitigate problems with petrochemical plastics but low acceptance of these bioplastics among consumers and others have delayed their adoption. Through a mixed method approach, this work aims to assess the factors contributing to the low adoption rates of bioplastics as a way to inform development of more highly accepted bioplastics. Stakeholders with a variety of links with the packaging/plastic industries were interviewed using a semi-structured interview approach and the results were analysed to discover recurrent themes and perceptions regarding packaging. From this thematic analysis, a survey was conducted to explore consumer opinion. The findings indicate that although the population is aware and interested in changing to environmentally friendly packaging, confusion exists as to what that means and what are the best ways to effect that change. The teenager group was identified as the most susceptible to be involved in the change. Frequently cited barriers to acceptance centred on separation of waste and access to correct waste bins. The characteristics likely to lead to a higher acceptance of novel bioplastics by composters were time of decomposition, small thickness, and possibility of being introduced in current processes of packaging preparation, among others.

Development of Polylactic Acid Films with Selenium Microparticles and Its Application for Food Packaging

Selenium is a natural element which exists in the human body and plays an important role in metabolism. Along with this, selenium also possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Using selenium microparticles (SeMPs) in food packaging films is exceptional. In this experiment, a solution casting method was used to make film. For this purpose, we used polylactic acid (PLA) as a substrate for the formation of a film membrane while SeMPs were added with certain ratios to attain antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The effects of SeMPs on the PLA film and the value of SeMPs in food packaging film production were investigated. The effects of the SeMPs contents on the features of the film, such as its mechanical property, solubility, swelling capacity, water vapor permeability, antioxidant activity, and the antibacterial activity of the composite membrane against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) strains, were studied. The results manifest that the PLA/SeMPs films showed higher water resistance, UV resistance, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial activity than pure PLA film. When the concentration of SeMPs was 1.5 wt%, the composite membrane showed the best comprehensive performance. Although the tensile strength and elongation at break of the membrane were slightly reduced by the addition of SeMPs, the results show that PLA/SeMPs films are still suitable for food packaging and would be a very promising material for food packaging.

Physical Properties of Composite Films from Tilapia Skin Collagen with Pachyrhizus Starch and Rambutan Peel Phenolics

Different composite films composed of tilapia skin collagen (TSC) with Pachyrhizus starch (PS) or rambutan peel phenolics (RPP) were prepared, and the physical properties of these films were determined. The effects of PS and RPP on TSC films were investigated, and our results indicated that PS and RPP could improve the physical properties of TSC films. Opacity and film thickness showed an enhanced trend with increasing PS and RPP contents in TSC films, whereas solubility in water, elongation-at-break (EAB), and water vapor permeability (WVP) showed declining trends. TSC film with 10% PS and 0.5% RPP had the highest tensile strength, and the tensile strength dropped drastically when the content of PS and RPP increased. The light transmittances of the films could decrease with the incorporation of PS and RPP. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated that the addition of PS and RPP improved the thermal stability of TSC films. In addition, X-ray diffraction indicated that the crystallinity of the films decreased and the amorphous structure of the films tended to become more complex with the addition of PS and RPP. As shown by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, PS and RPP can strongly interact with TSC, resulting in a modification of its structure. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed that there was a good compatibility between TSC, PS, and RPP. The results indicated that TSC film incorporated with 10% PS and 0.5% RPP was an effective method for improve the physical properties of the film. TSC–PS–RPP composite films can be used not only in biomedical applications, but also as active food packaging materials.

Chitosan nanocomposite films based on halloysite nanotubes modification for potential biomedical applications

Chitosan is attracting increasing attention for biomedical applications because of its biocompatibility. In the present study, raw halloysite nanotubes (RHNTs) were functionalised with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTS) and then a sequence of novel chitosan biofilms were prepared by adding amino-modified halloysite nanotubes (HNTs-NH₂) as a reinforcing material and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) as a cross-linking agent. The reaction between the APTS and the RHNTs was demonstrated through characterisation of the HNTs-NH₂. Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed the interaction of HNTs-NH₂ with chitosan and EGDE. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a transformation of the surface morphology of the chitosan films. Measurement of the mechanical and thermal properties showed that the nanocomposite films exhibited substantial improvements in tensile strength, elongation at break and thermal stability compared with those of the pure chitosan films. However, the swelling rate of the nanocomposite films decreased upon incorporation of the HNTs-NH₂ and EGDE. In addition, the water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) of the nanocomposite films was also improved. Given the aforementioned results, chitosan nanocomposites are promising biomedical materials.

Improvement of the characteristics of fish gelatin - gum arabic through the formation of the polyelectrolyte complex

The aim of this study was to evaluate and characterize the interaction between fish gelatin (FG) and Gum Arabic(GA) and its effects in obtaining optimal atomization conditions. The optimal conditions (D = 0.866) founded in this paper were: Gum Arabic concentration of 33.4% and inlet air temperature of 130 °C. These conditions afforded 6.62 g/h yield, 0.27 a_w and 247 g of Gel Strength, that are considered as suitable characteristics for food grade gelatin. The complex formed (FG-GA) was successfully obtained, as demonstrated by the results of amino acid profile, SDS-PAGE, FTIR spectroscopy, zeta potential and morphology. It was also verified that the formation of FG-GA promotes positive changes, such as higher atomization yield, adequate Gel Strength, low hygroscopicity and high solubility. The technological properties of FG-GA shown high potential to be applied in the food industry as well in other industrial fields like chemical and pharmaceutical areas.

Recent progress in biomedical applications of chitosan and its nanocomposites in aquaculture: A review

Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) are the nanostructures of chitosan biopolymer which is derived from chitin polysaccharide, the main component of crustacean shells. Chitosan is a biocompatible, nontoxic and biodegradable polymer soluble in acidic solutions and easily excreted from kidneys. It is widely used in medical and pharmaceutical applications including artificial matrices for tissue engineering, drug transport, targeted drug delivery and protein or gene delivery. The antimicrobial activities of chitosan and CSNPS against different bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens made them valuable for several biological applications including food preservation purposes. In addition, they have immunomodulatory effects on fish and crustaceans providing direct positive impact on aquaculture and fish farming industry. Sustained release of some bioactive ingredients such as hormones, vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants has improved the biological activities of fish. Furthermore, CSNPs have recently been employed to diagnose fish diseases. In this review, we present the medical and biological applications of chitosan and CSNPs on aquatics to provide an update on recent advances and the potential for further advanced applications for aquaculture in the future.

Influence of Starch Composition and Molecular Weight on Physicochemical Properties of Biodegradable Films

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) films are considered one of the most promising alternatives for replacing synthetic polymers in the packaging field due to the starch biodegradability, low cost, and abundant availability. However, starch granule composition, expressed in terms of amylose content and phosphate monoesters, and molecular weight of starch clearly affects some film properties. In this contribution, biodegradable TPS films made from potato, corn, wheat, and rice starch were prepared using the casting technique. The effect of the grain structure of each starch on microstructure, transparency, hydration properties, crystallinity, and mechanical properties of the films, was evaluated. Potato starch films were the most transparent and corn starch films the most opaque. All the films had homogeneous internal structures—highly amorphous and with no pores, both of which point to a good starch gelatinization process. The maximum tensile strength (4.48–8.14 MPa), elongation at break (35.41–100.34%), and Young’s modulus (116.42–294.98 MPa) of the TPS films were clearly influenced by the amylose content, molecular weight, and crystallinity of the film. In this respect, wheat and corn starch films, are the most resistant and least stretchable, while rice starch films are the most extensible but least resistant. These findings show that all the studied starches can be considered suitable for manufacturing resistant and flexible films with similar properties to those of synthetic low-density polyethylene (LDPE), by a simple and environmentally-friendly process.

Characterization of gelatin/chitosan ploymer films integrated with docosahexaenoic acids fabricated by different methods

In this study, docosahexaenoic acid powder-enhanced gelatin-chitosan edible films were prepared by casting, electrospinning and coaxial electrospinning, respectively. The color (CR), transparency (UV), light transmission (UV), mechanical strength (TA-XT), thermal stability (DSC), crystalline structures (XRD), molecular interactions (FTIR), and microstructure (SEM) were assessed in the analytical research. The results of the research showed that the electrospinning process and the coaxial electrospinning process produced a smooth surface visible to by the naked eye and a uniform granular network structure in a unique film-forming manner, thereby exhibiting good water solubility and mechanical properties. In contrast, the casted film was smooth, transparent, and mechanically strong but poorly water soluble. It was also found that the addition of docosahexaenoic acid powder affected the optical, physical and mechanical properties of the film to varying degrees.

Fabrication of Dissolvable Microneedle Patches Using an Innovative Laser-Cut Mould Design to Shortlist Potentially Transungual Delivery Systems: In Vitro Evaluation

There has been a great interest towards transungual delivery systems due to limited drug penetration for the treatment of nail diseases. More important, antifungal oral medicaments used may cause serious side effects including liver damage. Therefore, we propose non-oral dissolvable microneedle (MN) patch to strike the poor permeability of the nail. We report the design of MN patch mould using a laser-cutting machine and solvent casting of several hydrophilic polymers to fabricate these MN patches. Formulations were evaluated for their in vitro release and penetration properties and selected based on physical characterization for compatibility (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD)), dimension repeatability and drug content uniformity. A 72-array of cone-shaped MN patch mould was successfully constructed on polymethylmethacrylate sheets. Interval and frequency of laser exposure were pivotal to determine the needle sharpness, attained unexpectedly at a low level of circa 30 μm. F1 platform of polyvinyl alcohol, kollicoat IR®, ethylene glycol and gelatin showed circa 74% penetration of methylhydroxy-4-benzoate (F1(A)) over 24 h, whereas F2 (same as F1-A with the addition of poloxamer 338) resulted in an almost 42% of this drug retention in the bovine hoof (24 h). Both formulations are likely to be useful for onychomycosis treatment. F1 polymers also afford enhanced permeability (almost 73.5% after 24 h) of terbinafine hydrochloride into the hoof (F1(B)). However, F3 (chitosan, gelatin and ethylene glycol) presents the prospect of developing MN patch for this drug with almost complete hoof penetration (circa 96.3% after 24 h). All medicated formulations have shown similar mechanical properties after ageing for 1 year under dry conditions.

Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan-Based Ternary Blend Edible Films with Efficient Antimicrobial Activities for Food Packaging Applications

To improve the mechanical and antibacterial properties of chitosan (CS) films, a ternary blend edible film was prepared by incorporating CS, gelatin (GE), and natural cinnamon essential oil (CEo). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction were performed to evaluate the films. The mechanical properties, light transmission, thermal stability, hydrophilicity, and antibacterial activity of the films were also determined. The results confirmed all of the films exhibited excellent UV protection with low transparency at 600 nm. Compared with the CS films, the ternary composite film (CSGEo film, containing CS, GE, and CEo) had a higher elongation at break but a lower tensile strength. SEM images revealed that all films had smooth surfaces, although some obvious differences between CS and CSGEo films were observed by AFM. Additionally, the incorporation of GE and CEo to the films enhanced their thermal stability and contact angle, but decreased their crystallinity and wettability. The antimicrobial activity results showed that CSGEo films had excellent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, for which the antibacterial rate exceeded 98%. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the CSGEo solution against E. coli and S. aureus were both 52.06 µg/mL, and the minimal bactericidal concentrations were 104.12 and 52.06 µg/mL, respectively. These results suggest that CSGEo films possess good mechanical and antibacterial properties, and therefore, their application in the food packaging industry is promising. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The main raw materials of the edible films developed in this study are aquatic by-products, so the films are edible and biodegradable. The addition of gelatin and CEo improved the UV barrier and thermal properties but decreased the crystallinity and hydrophilicity of the films, making them suitable for use as packaging materials. CEo-incorporated films exhibited excellent mechanical properties and antibacterial activity and can, therefore, be used in the food packaging industry.

Effect of Chitosan and Fish Gelatin Coatings on Preventing the Deterioration and Preserving the Quality of Fresh-Cut Apples

The effect of fish gelatin and chitosan coatings on the physicochemical characteristics of fresh-cut apples (Malus pumila Mill.), stored at 5 °C and 22 °C, was investigated. Chitosan provided an effective control for microbial growth, maintained firmness during 4 days of storage at room temperature (22 °C), and 12 days at refrigerator (5 °C). The results indicated that chitosan coating caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the L* value of cube color of cut apples. Fish gelatin-chitosan coatings mitigated the L* value and decrease in hue angle of the cut apple samples, at cold storage. Experimental results showed that fish gelatin-chitosan and chitosan coatings, can be used to mitigate the formation of vitamin C, due to respiration, microbial growth, and weight loss at cold storage. Fish gelatin-chitosan coating might be a better combination for maintaining appearance and extending shelf-life of cut apples, compared to only chitosan coatings.

Synthesis, characterization and application of gelatin-carboxymethyl cellulose blend films for preservation of cherry tomatoes and grapes

In the present study, gelatin-carboxymethyl cellulose blend film was synthesized, characterized and applied for the first time to preserve cherry tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) and grapes (Vitis vinifera). Gelatin (Gel) film forming solution was incorporated with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at three volume per volume (Gel:CMC) ratios, namely 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75. CMC treatment has improved the transparency, tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EAB), water vapor permeability and oxygen permeability of gelatin films. A pronounced effect was obtained for 25Gel:75CMC film. The TS and EAB values were increased from 25.98 MPa and 2.34% (100Gel:0CMC) to 37.54 MPa and 4.41% (25Gel:75CMC), respectively. A significant improvement in antimicrobial property of gelatin films against two food pathogens, namely Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was obtained in the presence of CMC. The effectiveness of gelatin-CMC blend films to extend the shelf life of agricultural products was evaluated in a 14-day preservation study. The gelatin-CMC films were successfully controlled the weight loss and browning index of the fruits up to 50.41% and 31.34%, respectively. Overall, gelatin-CMC film is an environmental friendly film for food preservation.

Preparation and characterization of chitosan/gelatin/nanocrystalline cellulose/calcium peroxide films for potential wound dressing applications

In order to improve mechanical properties and biomedical behavior of chitosan-based polymeric films, the effect of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and calcium peroxide (CP) particles on the properties of polymeric films based on chitosan (CS) and gelatin (GL) were investigated in this study. The films were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), tensile, swelling, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), antibacterial, oxygen release and cell culture tests. FTIR results indicated that hydrogen bonding has been formed between functional groups of the constituents. The mechanical results showed that the combination of both CP and NCC had better results in improving the mechanical properties of the films. The WVTR and swelling results indicated that CP and NCC particles reduced the amount of WVTR and swelling of the samples. By Adding CP to the film composition, the antibacterial activity of the films against E. coli bacteria increased. The oxygen release for the films containing CP has its maximum value during the first day and it approaches a constant value for 10 days. The MTT assay results revealed that the growth of the human fibroblast cells was increased during 7 days, showing that the chitosan-based films containing CP and NCC had no toxicity and never cause cell death.

Preparation and characterization of gelatin-based nanocomposite containing chitosan nanofiber and ZnO nanoparticles

There is an increasing interest toward biodegradable active packaging because of consumer demand and environmental concerns. Despite this interest, poor thermal, mechanical, and water barrier properties of biodegradable polymers such as gelatin limit their application in food packaging. In this study, to prevail these limitations, the gelatin-based nanocomposite containing chitosan nanofiber (CHNF) and ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were fabricated and characterized by FTIR, SEM, and DSC analyses. The results showed the appropriate interactions between gelatin matrix, CHNF and ZnONPs due to their good compatibility. Additionally, the nanocomposite showed high mechanical and water barrier properties due to its high dense and less permeable structure. The incorporation of CHNF compensated the negative effect of ZnONPs on the color properties of gelatin film. In addition, the synergistic effect between CHNF and ZnONPs improved the antibacterial activity of nanocomposite. In conclusion, the fabricated bio nanocomposite indicated considerable potential for food packaging.

Physicochemical properties of the edible films from the blends of high methoxyl apple pectin and chitosan

Chitosan (CH) and pectin (PE) are considered as promising biomaterials in developing eco-friendly films due to their film-forming, biodegradable, and non-toxic characteristics, the films from pure CH or PE have obvious defects such as poor barrier and mechanical properties. In this study, the blend films of CH and PE at varying mass ratios were characterized. Structurally, numerous small pores evenly distributed in PE film while big caves unevenly scattered in CH film. CH film is semicrystalline but PE and blend films are totally amorphous, the two individual films presented comparable values in water content and solubility to blend films. The CH film showed lower water vapor permeability and surface wettability and these parameters of the blend films decreased with CH level, the blend films exhibited high transparence as PE film did, which is much higher than that of CH film. Mechanically, the PE film presented higher values in stretchability and tensile strength than CH film. Moreover, in a different blending ratios, synergistic effects were found with several characters of the CH/PE blend film, especially in transparence and mechanical properties. These synergistic effects were ascribed to the intermolecular electrostatic interactions between CH and PE.

Hybrid Bionanocomposites from Spent Hen Proteins

Spent hens, a poultry by-product, have little economic value for processing and mostly end up in landfills. However, there are concerns over disposal of spent hens; therefore, it is pertinent to find out alternative uses that are environmentally sound. On the other hand, single-use plastic packaging is leading to a global environmental crisis. In this study, proteins were extracted from spent hen, plasticized, and processed into films by compression molding. The hybrid bionanocomposite films were successfully prepared using glycerol as a plasticizer, chitosan as a cross-linker, and varying concentrations of nanoclay as a nanoreinforcement. The effects of nanoreinforcements, plasticization, and cross-linking were then evaluated on thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of the prepared bionanocomposite films. Various concentrations of nanoclay and chitosan were dispersed in the protein matrix. However, with the same plasticizer loading, the optimum addition of chitosan and nanoclay led to almost twofold increase in the mechanical strength, compared to neat protein films. The results indicated that at optimal conditions, a good intercalation and/or exfoliation of the protein biopolymers into clay interlayer galleries was observed leading to improved thermal, thermomechanical, and barrier properties. These hybrid bionanocomposite films have great future potential to be used in packaging and other applications.

Environment-friendly green composites based on soluble soybean polysaccharide: A review

The objective of the present review was to acquaint the readers with recent advances in soluble soy bean polysaccharide (SSPS)-based films. An efficient extraction method containing refining, pasteurizing and spray-drying is commonly used to extract SSPS. SSPS is a high molecular weight polysaccharide with a pectin-like structure. The predominant monosaccharide components are arabinose, galactose and galacturonic acid. Additionally, a trace amount of other monosaccharides such as glucose, fucose, rhamnose, and xylose are also present. SSPS allows us to make water-soluble, colorless, transparent, and edible films due to its high adhesive strength. The evaluation of recently published data on the development of SSPS films has demonstrated that nanoparticles can be used to improve the physicochemical characteristics of SSPS films. These nanoparticles not only reinforce the mechanical, thermal and physical properties of SSPS films, but also improve their antibacterial, anti-mold and anti-yeast activities. Hence, reinforcement of SSPS with nanoparticles is expected to open new approaches for revealing their applications in food packaging.