Investigation of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) on Mechanical Properties of Cold Water Fish Gelatin Biodegradable Edible Films.

Mahsa Tabari

doi:10.3390/foods6060041

Abstract

The tendency to use biocompatible packages, such as biodegradable films, is growing since they contain natural materials, are recyclable and do not cause environmental pollution. In this research, cold water fish gelatin and carboxymethyl cellulose were combined for use in edible films. Due to its unique properties, gelatin is widely used in creating gel, and in restructuring, stabilizing, emulsifying, and forming foam and film in food industries. This research for the first time modified and improved the mechanical properties of cold water fish gelatin films in combination with carboxymethyl cellulose. Cold water fish gelatin films along with carboxymethyl cellulose with concentrations of 0%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 50% were prepared using the casting method. The mechanical properties were tested by the American National Standard Method. Studying the absorption isotherm of the resulting composite films specified that the humidity of single-layer water decreased (p < 0.05) and caused a reduction in the equilibrium moisture of these films. In the mechanical testing of the composite films, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus significantly increased and the elongation percent significantly decreased with the increase in the concentration of carboxymethyl cellulose. Considering the biodegradability of the films and the improvement of their mechanical properties by carboxymethyl cellulose, this kind of packaging can be used in different industries, especially the food industry, as an edible coating for packaging food and agricultural crops.

Highlights

Preparing and producing packaging materials with the aim of maintaining quality, increasing the durability life and preventing environmental pollution have been among the research concerns and subjects for researchers in the food industry in recent years [1]
The goal of this research was to produce biodegradable films based on cold water fish gelatin and to improve its mechanical properties by combining it with carboxymethyl cellulose, which can be used in the food industry
The results show that adding and changing the concentration of CMC is effective in reducing the equilibrium moisture absorption (Figure 2)

Summary

Introduction

Preparing and producing packaging materials with the aim of maintaining quality, increasing the durability life and preventing environmental pollution have been among the research concerns and subjects for researchers in the food industry in recent years [1]. Pollution caused by packaging materials which are produced from oil derivatives and problems resulting from different disinfection methods such as burying, burning and recycling have recently attracted the attention of researchers to develop suitable alternatives for this packaging material [2,3,4]. Development of high-performance renewable materials made from non-biodegradable polymers that can be degraded in nature, for producing bio-based recyclable packaging films is one important factor for sustainable growth of the packaging industry [5,6]. Pure gelatin does not naturally exist but it is obtained from the hydrolysis of bone and cartilage of pigs and cows and, in lower amounts, from birds and fish [7,8]

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Conclusion