Current research on the blends of natural and synthetic polymers as new biomaterials: Review

The physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of starch−chitosan films incorporated with oregano essential oil (OEO) have been investigated. The antimicrobial effects of starch−chitosan−OEO films against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, and Staphylococcus aureus were determined by the disk inhibition zone method. The film mechanical properties, water vapor permeability (WVP), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), and thermograms (TGA) were also determined. Films added with OEO effectively inhibited the four microorganisms tested and demonstrated improved barrier properties. The presence of OEO in starch−chitosan films led to the formation of more flexible films. Chitosan was not effective against the tested organisms, but it decreased film rigidity and WVP. TGA analysis demonstrated that the addition of chitosan and OEO did not affect the thermal stability of the films.

Antimicrobial, Mechanical, and Barrier Properties of Cassava Starch−Chitosan Films Incorporated with Oregano Essential Oil

Physical, structural and antimicrobial properties of poly vinyl alcohol-chitosan biodegradable films

Antioxidant and antibacterial lignin nanoparticles in polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan films for active packaging

Novel Magnetic chitosan/poly(vinyl Alcohol) Hydrogel Beads: Preparation, Characterization and Application for Adsorption of Dye From Aqueous Solution

Studies of chitosan: II. Preparation and characterization of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)/gelatin ternary blend films.

Various blending ratios of chitosan/poly (vinyl alcohol) (CS/PVA) blend films were prepared by solution blend method in this study. The thermal properties and chemical structure characterization of the CS/PVA blend films were examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Based upon the observation on the DSC thermal analysis, the melting point of PVA is decreased when the amount of CS in the blend film is increased. The FTIR absorption characteristic is changed when the amount of CS in the blend film is varied. Results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicate that the intensity of diffraction peak at 19° of PVA becomes lower and broader with increasing the amount of CS in the CS/PVA blend film. This trend illustrates that the existence of CS decreases the crystallinity of PVA. Although both PVA and CS are hydrophilic biodegradable polymers, the results of water contact angle measurement are still shown as high as 68° and 83° for PVA and for CS films, respectively. A minimum water contact angle (56°) was observed when the blend film contains 50 wt % CS. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007

Fang-Yu Wang

Papers

Studies of chitosan: II. Preparation and characterization of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)/gelatin ternary blend films.

Studies of chitosan. I. Preparation and characterization of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) blend films