Effect of moderate electric fields in the permeation properties of chitosan coatings

Item Type Journal Article
Author B.W.S. Souza
Author M.A. Cerqueira
Author A. Casariego
Author A.M.P. Lima
Author J.A. Teixeira
Author A.A. Vicente
URL http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VP9-4W1BVB0-1/2/e3edfc94905be8c59e559746f1f2db8a
Volume 23
Issue 8
Pages 2110-2115
Publication Food Hydrocolloids
ISSN 0268-005X
Date Diciembre 2009
DOI 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2009.03.021
Accessed 2009-10-07 11:48:38
Library Catalog ScienceDirect
Abstract Edible films and coatings can provide additional protection for food, while being a fully biodegradable, environmentally friendly packaging system. Preliminary works have shown that the presence of a moderate electric field during the preparation of chitosan coating solutions may influence e.g. their transport properties. If such effect is confirmed, moderate electric fields could be used to tailor edible films and coatings for specific applications. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of field strength on functional properties of chitosan coatings (obtained from lobster from the Cuban coasts). Four different field strengths were tested (50, 100, 150, 200 V cm-1) and, for each electric field treatment, the water vapor, oxygen and carbon dioxide permeabilities of the films formed were determined, together with their color, opacity and solubility in water. The surface microstructure of the films was analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results showed that ohmic heating had statistically significant effects on film's physical properties and structure. In general, the most pronounced effect of the field strength was observed for treatments made at 100 V cm-1 or higher, a positive correlation being found between the water vapor, oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability coefficients and field strength. The AFM results show that the surface of chitosan films is much more uniform when an electric field is applied, which may be related with a more uniform gel structure leading to the differences observed in terms of transport properties.
Title Effect of moderate electric fields in the permeation properties of chitosan coatings
Date Added 2009-10-07 07:48
Date Modified 2009-10-07 07:48

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