![Chitosan: A Solution for Food Packaging 1 Chitosan: A Solution for Food Packaging](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVunwcQneNU3dsFWviYFDyB08sNM8M_KrGpitAvxosXe0YvuO3qlVKguK3TNDpH2-42OuiKZw-p712cyN7znusIQGevdYYYq-f3CNc-tiYO7VX0P67w4m1KA2uZaZzJzVRGEphNDicwX8/s320/2.png)
So it is best to find an alternative
to such problem. There are many alternatives such as edible packaging,
biodegradable phenols, biodegradable starch blends, etc. but today we are going
to talk about Chitosan a compound used to make all these films, which is
derived from chitin after deacetylation. It has earlier being used in many industries
such as medicines, environment, bioengineering, etc. due to its properties.
Chitosan has excellent properties of antimicrobial activity, nontoxicity,
biocompatibility, biodegradability, chelating capability, etc.
Why I said it’s a solution for
packaging industry because there have been many trends in which chitosan can be
fabricated into films and being used in food packaging. Chitosan films can be
used for increasing the shelf life of the food material due to its
antimicrobial property and it can also be used in different forms such as pure
chitosan films, chitosan/synthetic films, chitosan/biopolymer film, chitosan
derivative film, etc. With such wide variety of film available there is no
doubt that chitosan films are the solution for food packaging industry.
So let’s talk about the variety of
films in detail:
Pure Chitosan Films
These films are edible in nature i.e.
they come under the category of edible films. The development of such films is
relatively easy as chitosan easily dissolves in acid solution (such as acetic
acid) they can be fabricated into films. These films are generally used for
preservation purpose. Varity of foods have been preserved using this film, this
includes tomato, banana, pomegranate, carrot, mango, fish, etc. Moreover, these
pure chitosan films have been proven to
be able to delay the qualitative and nutraceutical traits changes, prevent the
growth of microbial, keep antioxidant activity, and prolong the shelf life.
For increasing the strength,
flexibility, extendibility and chain mobility of pure chitosan films, small
amount of plasticizers such as sorbitol and glycerol can be added.
Chitosan/Biopolymer film
Due to characteristic such as
biodegradability, non-toxicity, biocompatibility many biopolymers can be
combined with chitosan to fabricate the film. This film will have combined
characteristic of both the chitosan as well as biopolymer used. Researches were
carried out on this and many were successful. Biopolymers like polysaccharide.
Proteins, extracts, organic acids, etc. can be used with chitin to form films.
For details of chitosan/biopolymer film... click here.
Chitosan Synthetic Polymer based films
![Chitosan: A Solution for Food Packaging Chitosan: A Solution for Food Packaging](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRhqeKARm4HQx2i-EBE9dwzivzxiRyk43zyqr1-hEJQXyDiBKZE_0oFbeY3DPn1XnuuIR-kUYCxVYj3tDNpcSiqWaLLacxjBj7LXzxash-beQuiJ3LGdMs6qRmuqiV-iG4rbQq6j0VfE/s320/download+%25281%2529.jpg)
Chitosan/Inorganic Material Film
![Chitosan: A Solution for Food Packaging Chitosan: A Solution for Food Packaging](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkhNarQY2iOfo48uoxe68TtO4StvYI0dh5ZIr563Hbkqhywbc7v7UjTUAe4U7D9LiMkwMZL3MvmvmiprETH7mKdsoJU5kPpd3BTyFkZ-N1A8tPSKLYNPkB726ziSZM-jFxzIgdvgTN2Y/s320/download.jpg)
Let’s take another example, Chitosan/montmorillonite
composite films has been widely researched,
for the improvement of films barrier (oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapour) Some
researchers found that the addition of montmorillonite in chitosan films could
also enhance mechanical property and improve flame retardant properties, showing
benefits for new types of food packaging. More such researches are still going
on and more results on the properties of chitosan/inorganic films are being
studied.
But there is a concern regarding this
film and that is since inorganic material is being added these material can be
good for one type of food and unsuitable for other. So while using such films
one have to take care of compatibility of inorganic part with food which is
being packed.
Chitosan derivatives films
![Chitosan: A Solution for Food Packaging Chitosan: A Solution for Food Packaging](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DEuDwCztaQsxzwD2s5UWc1fSQ4lNPamr7gFI6nRrz8gjkiE1ytbC9mSEgnsAMfpJ-x0QRYsVIDeqfaG5mSPTtB7VNBktgw5S70aJroHhdFxHe5CTv8u8Q5Op9Z9Mx5iE-LsmG5lvJ-E/s320/15112_1534995076.png)
Thank you for giving it a read.
For any doubt or question please
comment below.
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