Abstract
The aim of the research was to determine the influence of chitosan type and propolis extract concentration on biological and physicochemical properties of chitosan-propolis films in terms of their applicability in food packaging. The films were prepared using three types of chitosan: from crab shells, medium and high molecular weight and propolis concentration in the range of 0.75–5.0%. The prepared polysaccharide films were tested for antimicrobial properties, oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). Moreover, sorption tests and structural analysis were carried out. Microbiological tests indicated the best antimicrobial activity for the film consisting of high molecular weight chitosan and 5.0% propolis extract. Both the type of chitosan and propolis concentration affected transmission parameters—OTR and WVTR. The best barrier properties were recorded for the film composed of high molecular weight chitosan and 5.0% propolis extract. The results of sorption experiments showed a slight influence of chitosan type and a significant effect of propolis extract concentration on equilibrium moisture content of tested films. Moreover, propolis extract concentration affected monolayer water capacity (Mm) estimated using the Guggenheim, Anderson and de Boer (GAB) sorption model. The obtained results indicate that chitosan films with an addition of propolis extract are promising materials for food packaging applications, including food containing probiotic microorganisms.
Highlights
The global production of plastics has been growing dramatically for years
It could be connected with the fact that high molecular weight chitosan has a compact structure due to strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds [57], phenolic compounds from propolis extract may be less bound to the chitosan matrix and may diffuse through the agar medium and inhibit bacterial growth. 3.2
The present paper describes biological and physicochemical properties of films based on three types of chitosan and propolis extract
Summary
The global production of plastics has been growing dramatically for years. Its rapid growth has been caused by such factors as easy access to the raw material and improved living standards leading to increased consumption. Within the few years, the packaging industry, in particular the plastic packaging segment, will have to face challenges resulting from the regulations set out in Directive 2019/904 of the European Parliament and the Council [1] on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. The initiative presented in the Directive is regarded in the broader context of the European Union’s transition to circular economy, which is one of key development areas for the European Union. It is the consequence of the observed environmental degradation, the development of climate policies and the resulting new environmentally-friendly regulations, as well as the increase in awareness and consumers’ expectations of the manner of conducting business. The answer to the search for new polymeric materials are natural materials
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