Moisture Content Of Films Research Articles

Pengaruh Konsentrasi Gliserol pada Gelatin Kulit Kelinci terhadap Kadar Air, Ketebalan Film, dan Laju Transmisi Uap Air Edible Film

Utilization of rabbit skin as a food product has not been carried out optimally, it is not in line with the increasing production of meat. The high protein content makes rabbit skin potential to be used as gelatin. Gelatin is a protein-derived compound that has translucent, colorless, and tasteless properties. This makes gelatin suitable as a raw material for the manufacture of edible films. Edible film is a packaging layer for edible food products. film The added glycerol plasticizer can affect the characteristics. This study aims to determine the right concentration to obtain moisture content, film, and water vapor transmission rate of edible film from rabbit skin gelatin. The method used is an experimental method with a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments consisting of glycerol concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. Each treatment was repeated 5 times with observed moisture content, thickness , and water vapor transmission rate. The statistical test used ANOVA’s test, then Duncan's advanced test at the 5% level. The results showed that the effect of glycerol concentration on rabbit skin gelatin gave a different response (P<0.05) with the best concentration of glycerol 10% (P2) on the moisture content, thickness , and water vapor transmission rate of the edible film. Keywords : edible film, rabbit skin gelatin, glycerol, moisture content, thickness, water vapor transmission rate

Development and characterization of elephant foot yam starch based pH‐sensitive intelligent biodegradable packaging

AbstractIn the present study, biodegradable intelligent films (pH indicators) were developed using elephant foot yam starch and Xanthan gum in the combination of red cabbage (RC, anthocyanins) and Beetroot (BR, betalain) (10% to 40%). Fourier‐transform infrared spectrum confirmed that the increase in extract concentration did not affect the chemical bonding, but it decreased the film's moisture content, water activity, and solubility. The addition of extract increased the phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant activity of the film. The film showed an excellent response (color change) for different pH levels, and the color transition from purple to deep pink in the acidic medium and purple to green in the basic medium was observed for RC films. However, the color transition for BR films was from red to brown in the acidic medium and from red to yellow in the acidic medium, hence it can be used as spoilage indicates for different food products.

Structural, Thermal, Mechanical, and Physicochemical Properties of Corn Starch and Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharide Based Composite Films

AbstractComposite films are prepared using corn starch and Tremella fuciformis polysaccharide (TFP) at different ratios (4:0, 3:1, 2:2, 1:3, 0:4, corn starch:TFP). The morphology, thermal properties, water resistance properties, opacity, and mechanical properties are investigated to evaluate the performance of composite films. The film surface becomes smooth with the increase in TFP proportion. The retrogradation enthalpy of corn starch is decreased from 2.60 to 1.10 J g−1 starch by the presence of TFP. The moisture content of films does not change with TFP ratio. The water vapor transmission and solubility increase significantly with the increasing TFP ratio. Moreover, the solubility of the pure TFP film is 100%. The transparency and surface hydrophobicity of films are improved with the increase in TFP ratio. The increase in TFP ratio decreases the tensile strength and glass transition temperature of films, while the elongation at break increases from 33.12% to 141.96%. In conclusion, composite films obtained from corn starch and TFP have the potential to be used as food packaging films. However, the ratio of corn starch and TFP should be more than 2:2 to ensure thermal stability of the composite film.

Effect of plasticizers on the properties of sugar palm nanocellulose/cinnamon essential oil reinforced starch bionanocomposite films

Abstract This work examines the effects of plasticizer type and concentration on mechanical, physical, and antibacterial characteristics of sugar palm nanocellulose/sugar palm starch (SPS)/cinnamon essential oil bionanocomposite films. In this research, the preparation of SPS films were conducted using glycerol (G), sorbitol (S), and their blend (GS) as plasticizers at ratios of 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 wt%. The bionanocomposite films were developed by the solution casting method. Plasticizer Plasticizers were added to the SPS film-forming solutions to help overcome the fragile and brittle nature of the unplasticized SPS films. Increasing plasticizer contents resulted in an increase in film thickness and moisture contents. On the contrary, the increase in plasticizer concentrations resulted in the decrease of the densities of the plasticized films. The increase in the plasticizer content from 1.5 to 4.5% revealed less influence towards the moisture content of S-plasticised films. For glycerol and glycerol-sorbitol plasticized (G and GS) films, higher moisture content was observed compared to S-plasticised films. Various plasticizer types did not significantly modify the antibacterial activity of bionanocomposite films. The findings of this study showed significant improvement in the properties of bionanocomposite films with different types and concentrations of plasticizers and their potential for food packaging applications was enhanced.

Effect of Pectin on the Characteristics of Edible Film from Pink Ear Emperor (Lethrinus lentjan) Gelatin

Edible film is a thin layer used to coat food. One of the biopolymers that can be used as a base for the edible film is fish gelatin. Gelatin can be obtained from the skin of Lethrinus lentjan. However, edible film is usually brittle if only gelatin is used, so other materials, such as pectin, are needed to form an elastic film. This study aims to determine the effect of pectin addition on the characteristics of the edible film. The method used in this research was the experimental method with five treatments of pectin concentration (0%, 0.2%, 0.25%, 0.3%, 0.35%). Physical and chemical characteristics (thickness, tensile strength, elongation, water vapor transmission, and moisture content) of edible films were analyzed. The results showed that different concentrations of pectin significantly affected the characteristics of edible film. The best characteristics of edible film (0.12 mm thickness, 15.40 MPa tensile strength, 26.50% elongation, 6.99 gram/m2 24 h water vapor transmission rate, and 8.745% moisture content) were obtained as 0.2% pectin added in making the gelatin-based edible film.

Potential use of glycerol- and/or spermidine-plasticized secalin films as leaf surface coatings for sustainable plant disease management

The effects of spermidine (SPD) on the properties of both secalin (SCL)-based film-forming solutions (FFSs) and their resultant films were studied in the absence or presence of glycerol (GLY) used as primary plasticizer. The average size of SCL particles significantly increased with the increase of SPD concentration, mainly in the presence of GLY, while the negative zeta potential values parallely decreased suggesting a greater stability of the FFSs containing SPD concentrations lower than 1.0 mM. In addition, the decreased contact angle value, compared to water and ethanol solution, indicated that SCL FFSs were highly hydrophobic and that it might be spreaded easily on hydrophobic biological surfaces. SPD could replace GLY in obtaining handleable, homogeneous and performing SCL-based films. The film tensile strength and the Young's module strongly increased in the absence of GLY, reaching values higher than 5 times with respect to controls, whereas elongation at break value of GLY-plasticized films containing 5.0 mM SPD was twice of that of the films prepared without SPD. Conversely, the film moisture content, water solubility and swelling ratio progressively decreased, both in the presence and absence of GLY, up to a SPD concentration of 1.0 mM, whereas the film contact angle increased, confirming the enhancement of its hydrophobicity determined by SPD incorporation. SPD also increased the film barrier properties to gases and water vapor, while the presence of GLY hindered these effects. Finally, SEM analysis of the cross-sections of the SPD containing films showed heterogeneous microstructures, whereas their surfaces appeared rougher than those of the control films. Preliminary experiments carried out by Rosa chinensis Jacq. leaf coating suggest the potential use of SCL-based FFSs spraying in plant disease control. High spreading of the SCL-based FFSs on the entire leaf surfaces, both in the presence and absence of Bordeaux mixture tested as agrochemical, was observed, and the SEM images showed the formation of an evident coating of the leaves. Therefore, these findings suggest the possibility to coat the leaf surface also in vivo with different SCL-based FFSs, giving rise to films possessing tailored functional properties and able to carry and release different agrochemicals.

Effect of Addition of Lemongrass Extract (Cymbopogon citratus) On Edible Film From Garut Starch (Marantha arundinaceae L.) As an Antimicrobial

ABSTRACT Edible film is an alternative packaging that does not cause environmental problems, because it is biodegradable. Lemongrass extract (Cymbopogon citratus) contains citronellal, geraniol and citronellol which can inhibit bacterial activity. This study aims to determine the visual appearance, antimicrobial activity, moisture content and thickness of arrowroot starch edible film with various treatments of lemongrass extract levels. This research method used Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with EO0% treatment; EA15%; EB20%; EC25%; ED30%. And it was repeated three times so that 15 treatment units were obtained. The data obtained were calculated using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and if there was a difference, continued with the Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) test using SPSS 16. The results showed that visually the color of arrowroot starch edible film got darker as the addition of lemongrass extract increased. . The results of statistical calculations show that there is no difference in water content, there is a significant difference in thickness and inhibition of antimicrobial activity using E. coli bacteria. The higher the lemongrass extract, the wider the clear zone formed. The widest clear zone formed was with the addition of 30% lemongrass extract, which was 31 mm, while the control did not form a clear zone. Keywords: Antimicrobial, Arrowroot starch, Edible film, Lemongrass

Effective factors on iontophoretic transdermal delivery of memantine and donepezil as model drugs

The purpose of this study is to compare in vitro and in vivo release characteristics of memantine hydrochloride and donepezil hydrochloride in monolayer films those prepared by the solvent evaporation method. Eudragit EPO (EPO), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and ethylcellulose (EC) were used as polymer matrix; polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used as a plasticizer, and glycerol (Gl) was used to give balanced monolayer film moisture content. The same matrix were used to load the same concentrations of the model drugs to compare their characteristic release properties and to minimalize the effect of formulation that may affect their specific release properties. Drug-loaded monolayer films were surrounded with cellophane membranes as a barrier on in vitro release studies. The in vivo studies were performed on the shaved (hairless) dorsal region of Wistar albino rats. Anodal iontophoresis was applied as a physical penetration enhancement method for a constant time of 1 h. Linear regression applied to calculate the correlation between the in vivo and in vitro results.Anodal iontophoresis were applied on drug-loaded monolayer films. Iontophoretic results were compared with passive diffusion results of drug-loaded monolayer films. Anodal iontophoresis studies were performed by applying two different current intensities to both lower and higher concentration drug-loaded monolayer films to evaluate the effect of concentration and intensity on the transported drug quantities.The transported average memantine hydrochloride (MEM) and donepezil hydrochloride (DON) concentrations after 24 h passive diffusion study were found as 166.13 ng/mL and, 73.56 ng/mL, respectively. These concentrations were increased to 10.59 μg/mL and, 636.81 ng/mL, respectively after 1 h 0.5 mA/cm2 anodal iontophoretic pre-treatment.The obtained results support the phenomenon; transported drug quantities through the skin from the selected matrix increased according to the concentration of the drug and, the current intensity that applied on iontophoretic pre-treatment. It was observed that the difference between the transported quantities of two drugs depends on mainly to the physicochemical properties of the drugs. Iontophoretic pre-treatment found more effective on transported quantities of memantine hydrochloride through the skin. This supports that the selected matrix and penetration enhancer is sufficient for memantine hydrochloride but not for donepezil hydrochloride. This suggests that the transported donepezil hydrochloride quantities through the skin may increase by the selection of suitable penetration enhancers or combination thereof in a suitable matrix.

Effects of soy protein isolate on mechanical and hydrophobic properties of oxidized corn starch film

Oxidized corn starch (OS) has a good film-forming ability; however, its poor mechanical properties and moisture barrier are shortcomings. To improve the deficiencies of OS film, soy protein isolate (SPI) with different ratios (10%, 20%, and 30%) was incorporated into OS film at different pH values (6, 8, and 10) to investigate the mechanical and hydrophobic properties of the blended films. The blended films were characterized by water sensitivity, contact angle, mechanical properties, optical properties, and microstructure. The increases in the SPI ratio and pH reduced the moisture content and total soluble matter of the blended films. The reduction in water vapor permeability and the increase in contact angle from 37.3° to 104.5° suggested that the moisture barrier of the OS film was improved by SPI. The elongation at break of blended films increased, but the tensile strength decreased with increasing of SPI content and pH. The blended films prepared at pH 10 were more yellow and had higher transmittance. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed that the blended films exhibited denser microstructures and smoother surfaces with the increasing pH. X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis implied that SPI interfered with the intermolecular interaction of OS.

Novel functional chitosan and pectin bio-based packaging films with encapsulated Opuntia-ficus indica waste

The aim of this work was to study the effect of adding red prickly pear, as wasted source of antioxidants on various characteristics of novel functional (antioxidant) chitosan and pectin film formulations. Four types of prickly pear material were used: fruit pulp or peel, as powdered extracts and as aqueous extracts. Prickly pear peel extract was shown to possess higher antioxidant properties than fruit pulp. The antioxidant power of extracts was pretty high, around 1000 mgAAE∙100 g−1 for extract and that of all films around 100 mgAAE∙100 g−1 for films. Even though some changes in thickness, moisture content, water solubility, oxygen permeability and water vapor permeability of films occurred after the addition of aqueous extracts, the most significant were observed in samples produced with powdered extracts, which led to the significant mechanical failures. Chitosan films had yellow orange taints, while pectin films had rose violet taints. FTIR analysis did not reveal important structural changes. Good antioxidant capacity with unchanged physico-chemical properties, when compared to clean chitosan or pectin, suggested about the possibility of use of novel bio-based prickly pear agricultural waste formulations for potential food packaging applications.

Effect of Eudragit® NE 40D on The Properties of Pectin Film-Based Polymer Blends

In this work, pectin was used as the primary polymer component while Eudragit® NE 40D was used as polymer blending for the preparation of the thin films. Glycerin was used as a plasticizer. The samples were prepared by a solvent casting method, and their thickness, physicomechanical properties, and moisture ability were characterized. The ratio of Eudragit® NE 40D to pectin was varied to obtain films with tunable mechanical properties and moisture ability. The appearance of the pectin-based blended films was yellowish and transparent by visual observation, and the thicknesses of the pectin-based blended films were in the range of 102–138 µm. The mechanical property of softness of the pectin-based blended films was measured after blending with Eudragit® NE 40D. Thermal stability of pectin-based blended film was also dependent on the amount of Eudragit® NE 40D added; a broadly endothermic and exothermic transition peak were observed. The amorphous state was found in the pectin-based blended films. The cross-sectional morphology of the pectin-based blended films showed a homogeneous film without pores, cracks, or cavities. The moisture content and moisture uptake of the pectin-based blended films were in the range of 18.89–27.52% and 3.38–6.00%, respectively. Overall, the pectin-based blended films showed good properties and these results indicate that pectin-based blended films can potentially be used to prepare thin films for medical and pharmaceutical applications, including drug delivery film dosage forms.

Development of leftover rice/gelatin interpenetrating polymer network films for food packaging

Abstract Waste biomass can be used as a raw material for food packaging. Different concentrations of gelatin (GEL) were introduced into the leftover rice (LR) system to form an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) for improving the properties of the films. The structure and morphology of films were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, which showed good compatibility between LR and GEL. The moisture content and oil absorption rate of IPN films were down by 105% and 182%, respectively, which showed better water and oil resistance than the LR film. In addition, increasing GEL concentration led to enhancement in the tensile strength of films from 2.42 to 11.40 MPa. The water contact angle value of the IPN films (117.53°) increased by 147% than the LR film (47.56°). The low haze of IPN films was obtained with the increment of the mutual entanglement of LR and GEL. The 30–50% GEL addition improved the water vapor barrier and thermal stability properties of the IPN films. This study highlights that LR as waste biomass can have a practical application in food packaging.

Corn Starch (Zea mays) Biopolymer Plastic Reaction in Combination with Sorbitol and Glycerol.

The research included corn starch (CS) films using sorbitol (S), glycerol (G), and their combination (SG) as plasticizers at 30, 45, and 60 wt %, with a traditional solution casting technique. The introduction of plasticizer to CS film-forming solutions led to solving the fragility and brittleness of CS films. The increased concentration of plasticizers contributed to an improvement in film thickness, weight, and humidity. Conversely, plasticized films reduced their density and water absorption, with increasing plasticizer concentrations. The increase in the amount of the plasticizer from 30 to 60% showed a lower impact on the moisture content and water absorption of S-plasticized films. The S30-plasticized films also showed outstanding mechanical properties with 13.62 MPa and 495.97 MPa, for tensile stress and tensile modulus, respectively. Glycerol and-sorbitol/glycerol plasticizer (G and SG) films showed higher moisture content and water absorption relative to S-plasticized films. This study has shown that the amount and type of plasticizers significantly affect the appearances, physical, morphological, and mechanical properties of the corn starch biopolymer plastic.

Valorisation of Posidonia oceanica Sea Balls (Egagropili) as a Potential Source of Reinforcement Agents in Protein-Based Biocomposites.

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NC) and a lignin-containing fraction (LF) were obtained from egagropili, the so called sea balls produced from rhizome and stem fragments of Posidonia oceanica that accumulate in large amounts along the coastal beaches in the form of tightly packed and dry materials of various dimensions. Both egagropili fractions have been shown to be able to improve the physicochemical properties of biodegradable films prepared from protein concentrates derived from hemp oilseed cakes. These materials, manufactured with a biodegradable industrial by-product and grafted with equally biodegradable waste-derived additives, exhibited an acceptable resistance with a still high flexibility, as well as they showed an effective barrier activity against water vapor and gases (O2 and CO2). Furthermore, both NC and LF decreased film moisture content, swelling ability and solubility, thus indicating that both additives were able to improve water resistance of the hydrocolloid films. The exploitation of egagropili, actually considered only an undesirable waste to be disposed, as a renewable source of reinforcing agents to blend with different kinds of polymers is suggested.

Preparation and characterization of genipin cross-linked and lysozyme incorporated antimicrobial sodium caseinate edible films

Sodium caseinate (NaCas) possesses good film forming capacity, but mechanical strength of NaCas films is declined by hydrophilic residues in NaCas molecules. Genipin (GP), a low-toxicity natural cross-linking agent, was used at the level at 1 mg/g NaCas to improve the mechnical properties and lysozyme (LYS) was used at the levels of 42, 84 and 126 mg/g NaCas to confer antimicrobial activity of NaCas films. While films without GP and LYS were colorless, light blueness was observed for all types of NaCas films containing GP. The whiteness index and transparency of films decreased as LYS amount increased. The moisture content of films was not significanly affected by the additon of GP and LYS, but the water vapor permeability slightly increased as the amount of LYS increased. Compared with films without GP, significanly higher tensile strength and Young’s modulus and significantly lower break elongation were detected in NaCas films containing GP. The cross-linking reaction between NaCas and GP was confirmed by FTIR-ATR analysis. Incorporation of LYS into NaCas films exerted antimicobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Eschericha coli. In conclusion, a novel type of active edible food packaging film with antimicrobial activity was developed by cross-linked with GP and incoporated with LYS.

A Gelatin-Based Film Reinforced by Covalent Interaction with Oxidized Guar Gum Containing Green Tea Extract as an Active Food Packaging System

This study aimed to improve the physicochemical performance of fish gelatin–based films. In this regard, the reinforced gelatin-based films were developed by covalent interaction with oxidized guar gum (OGG) containing green tea extract as an active food packaging system. The reinforced films were prepared by covalent crosslinking between the amino groups of gelatin and the aldehyde groups of OGG using the casting method. Then, the properties and structure of films were studied through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical properties, water solubility, moisture content (MC), and water vapor permeability (WVP) analyses. After the crosslinking between gelatin and OGG with a ratio of 2:1 (OGG 0.25% w/v): (gelatin 5% w/v), a significant (p < 0.05) decrease was observed in solubility, moisture content, and water vapor permeability of film. The covalent bond formation between OGG and gelatin was also proved as successful by FTIR spectroscopy. The tensile strength of the optimized gelatin-OGG film (78.99 ± 0.4 MPa) was ~ 2-fold higher than that of the gelatin-GG film. Moreover, thermal stability of the optimized film was improved after crosslinking. The optimized film showed higher antioxidant activity due to the presence of green tea extract (0.5 and 1% w/v). The antimicrobial activities were also evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus as the gram-positive bacterium. The obtained results suggested that the optimized film could be considered as a good candidate to be used as an active food packaging system.

Development of milk protein edible films incorporated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG

Bioactive edible films have the potential to be probiotic carriers. This innovative approach can replace plastic packaging and can benefit human health. This study demonstrated the incorporation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) into whey protein isolate (WPI) and sodium caseinate (NaCas) edible films. Probiotic cells were directly incorporated into the film forming solutions, and the films were produced by the casting method. The physical, mechanical, and probiotic viability properties of the edible films were determined in the presence and absence of LGG. Furthermore, the viability of LGG was evaluated during the drying process and storage of 14 days at 4 °C and 25 °C, respectively. The results showed the incorporation of LGG increased the moisture content, puncture force, and lightness of both films. However, viability of LGG was lower in the WPI film regardless of storage temperature. At the end of storage days, both WPI and NaCas edible films maintained the LGG viability above the recommended levels when stored at 4 °C, which was 106 CFU/g. The findings of this study suggested that edible films made of WPI and NaCas showed feasibility to immobilize LGG with chilled storage at 4 ℃.

Active coatings based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and silver nanoparticles to extend the papaya (Carica papaya L.) shelf life

This study aimed to understand the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on physiochemical properties of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) film-forming solutions (FFS) and nanocomposite films (NCF), as well as the efficacy of these materials to control the development of anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in papaya (Carica papaya L.). FFS were characterized by pH, particle size distribution, and rheology. In addition, thickness, morphology, water contact angle, barrier, chemical, crystallinity, thermal, and mechanical properties from NCF were investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentration of AgNPs against C. gloeosporioides was determined by in vitro test. FFS with 0.25 wt% of AgNPs were used as coatings in papayas inoculated with C. gloeosporioides. Finally, the physicochemical parameters were investigated during their storing up to 7 days at 10 °C, followed by 7 days at 20 °C. The presence of AgNPs impacted the thickness, morphology, moisture content, chemical bonds, crystalline structure, and thermal properties of films. Coatings with 0.25 wt% of AgNPs reduced the incidence and severity of C. gloeosporioides and avoided the weight loss of papayas during storing. The ripening of papaya occurred naturally, showing that the coating only delayed this process. Thus, HPMC-AgNPs coating can be an alternative to extend the papaya shelf life.

Thermomechanical, antioxidant and moisture behaviour of PVA films in presence of citric acid esterified cellulose nanocrystals

In the present work, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) active packaging films containing different amounts (1, 3, 5, 10 and 15% wt.) of unmodified cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and citric acid modified cellulose nanocrystals (mCNC) were prepared by solvent casting and their effect on thermal, mechanical and wettability behaviour of the resulted films was investigated. Results showed that both CNC and mCNC improved the thermal stability of the neat PVA matrix, but different mechanical properties and water wettability were found. Thermal stability of the materials was enhanced, by measuring shift of onset and peak temperatures that moved, respectively, from 251.5 to 298.1 °C and from 283.4 to 374.2 °C, in the case of PVA/15CNC and PVA/15mCNC films. The presence of mCNC contribute to increase the crystallinity up to 52% for PVA/10mCNC film, while it was limited to 39% for PVA/10CNC. Interestingly, PVA/mCNC composite films showed a clear UV shielding effect, while no UV resistance behaviour was detected for PVA/CNC films. Overall migration tests revealed that the migration value was well below the legislative limits (60 mg kg−1) for food contact materials, PVA/mCNC composite films have higher radical scavenging activity than PVA/CNC films and moisture content of PVA films containing mCNC was reduced at high RH. In conclusion, PVA/mCNC films could be considered as high-performance active food packaging materials.

Bacterial cellulose films: Evaluation of the water interaction

• Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a raw material to develop biodegradable films. • The water vapour permeability values increased with the moisture content of the films. • Water molecules increasing the elasticity of BC films. • Results showed that it is important to consider the humidity conditions for food packaging. • Bacterial cellulose films showed excellent UV-barrier properties. Bacterial cellulose is a biopolymer that is gaining attention due to its 3D structure, higher purity, porosity and surface area. However, this material can interact with water molecules from the surrounding environment, resulting in alterations of its properties. Hence, the purpose of this study was to analyze the modifications on the mechanical, water vapor permeability and optical properties of bacterial cellulose films as a function of the water activity. Results indicated that water acted as a plasticizer, mainly affecting mechanical and water vapor permeability properties. The moisture adsorption isotherms allowed predicting the moisture content of the bacterial cellulose films at several relative humidity conditions. Values for tensile strength and burst strength ranged from 15.50 to 22.28 MPa and from 145.03–338.10 g, respectively. The elongation and the distance to burst ranged from 1.36 to 3.71 % and from 0.39 to 1.86 mm, respectively. These values increased due to the plasticizing effect of the water molecules. Water vapor permeability values ranged from 1.35·10 −12 to 3.13·10 -11 g/ m s Pa, showing a significant increase up to 0.48 of water activity. Bacterial cellulose films showed excellent UV-barrier properties in the different water activities evaluated.