Synthesis, thermal and antimicrobial studies of chitosan/starch/poly(vinyl alcohol) ternary blend films

The ternary blend films of chitosan/starch/PVA(poly vinyl alcohol) are prepared by solution casting method using glutaraldehyde as cross-linking agent and PEG (polyethylene glycol) as plasticizer. Films are prepared in the varying ratio of chitosan, starch and PVA. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is used to characterize and study the interaction present in blended materials. To study their thermal behavior, thermogravimetry (TG) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) under air and argon atmospheres have been applied from ambient temperature to 500°C at heating rate of 10°C min-1 and this study indicates that blended films are stable upto 190°C, excellent for food packaging. The antimicrobial activities of these films are tested against three pathogenic microorganisms Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans against the measurement of clear zone diameter. These films show fair activity against Bacillus subtilis. Therefore such films can be used to prolong shelf life of food

Author(s): Sanjiv Aroraa , Sohan Lala, Chetan Sharmab and Kamal R. Anejab

Abstract | PDF

Share This Article