Mechanical and Water Vapor Transmission Properties of Polysaccharide Films

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Abstract
The film-forming properties of chitosan, chitosan glutamate, sodium alginate, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were investigated. Films were produced by a casting/solvent evaporation method from plasticizer-free and plasticizer-containing aqueous solutions. The water vapor transmission and mechanical properties (puncture strength and % elongation) of the films were investigated as a function of the polymer type and viscosity, plasticizer type (glycerin, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, triethyl citrate), plasticizer concentration, and type and concentration of acid used to dissolve chitosan. The effect of storage humidity was also examined. Glycerin and water were good plasticizers for chitosan glutamate. The chitosan film properties were dependent on the type and concentration of acid used to dissolve it, citric acid being a good plasticizer. The mechanical and water vapor transmission properties of alginate and HPMC films were less influenced by the investigated variables.