title: Solid-state and mechanical properties of aqueous chitosan-amylose starch films plasticized with polyols.
abstract: The film-forming ability of chitosan and binary mixtures of chitosan and native amylose corn starch (Hylon VII) was evaluated with free films prepared by a casting/solvent evaporation method. Unplasticized and plasticized free chitosan films in aqueous acetic acid and respective films containing a mixture of chitosan and native amylose starch in acetic acid were prepared. Glycerol, sorbitol, and i-erythritol were used as plasticizers. Solid-state and mechanical properties of the films were studied by powder x-ray diffractometry (XPRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and a materials testing machine. The films composed of a mixture of chitosan and native amylose starch in acetic acid were clear and colorless. A plasticizer concentration of 20% wt/wt (of the polymer weight) was sufficient to obtain flexible films with all samples tested. X-ray diffraction patterns and DSC thermograms indicated an amorphous state of the films independent of the type of plasticizer used. In conclusion, incorporation of native amylose corn starch into chitosan films improves the consistency and the mechanical properties of the films.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacy and Food, University of Havana, Havana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Mirna Fernández
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Cervera
authors.forename: Jyrki
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heinämäki
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krogars
authors.forename: Anna C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Jörgensen
authors.forename: Milja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karjalainen
authors.forename: Antonio Iraizoz
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Colarte
authors.forename: Jouko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yliruusi
mesh_terms: D000688:Amylose / Q000737:chemistry*; D002686:Chitin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry*; D048271:Chitosan; D004896:Erythritol / Q000737:chemistry; D008970:Molecular Weight; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D002686:Chitin; D013213:Starch; D000688:Amylose; D048271:Chitosan; D004896:Erythritol