Production and characterization of chitosan and glycerol-chitosan films

Abstract

This work presents the study of the isolation of chitin from residues of the Patagonian shrimp (Pleoticus muelleri), and its subsequent conversion to chitosan under different reaction conditions. The obtained products were characterized by evaluating their molecular weight (Mw) and degree of deacetylation (DD). In addition, chitosan- glycerol films were prepared (5, 10 and 20% w/w of plasticizer content), using a neutralization process during the unmolding step. The films were characterized by infrared (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, its behavior against water (contact angle and water sorption) and mechanical properties were also studied. It was observed that 72 hours of reaction time at 120 °C were necessary to obtain a chitosan sample with the desirable solubility properties from the chitin extracted from Pleoticus muelleri shells. The chitosan-glycerol films turned out to be systems of high transparency and their properties depended on the plasticizer content, obtaining homogeneous systems for concentrations up to 10% w/w. In addition, the films were found to be more hydrophilic than the reference material, with smaller contact angle and greater water absorption values, obtaining more flexible films in view of their mechanical properties.