Abstract

ALBARRACIN-HERNANDEZ, William  and  VALDERRAMA-BOHORQUEZ, Nathalia. CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS INCLUSION IN CHITOSAN POLYMERIC MATRICES AND THEIR EFFECT ON FILM PROPERTIES. Vitae [online]. 2014, vol.21, n.1, pp.49-59. ISSN 0121-4004.

Rationale: Chitosan is a biodegradable polysaccharide produced from fishing industrial waste derived chitin. Nowadays, research efforts are focused on the production of chitosan films used in a large quantity for industrial applications in order to provide technological solutions to the current industrial requirements. Different chemical compounds can be included in polymer matrices for the modification of antimicrobial, physical and chemical properties of chitosan films. The most common chemical compounds included are solvents, plasticizers, antioxidants and emulsifiers, as well as other substances such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, polymers, minerals and antibiotics. Aims: The purpose of this work is to present novel developments for the inclusion of chemical compounds into chitosan polymeric matrices. Methods: This review discusses the scientific work on chitosan published in the last 10 years. Initially, the most representative studies related to include chemical compounds in chitosan polymeric matrices were identified and selected. Subsequently, this information was compiled, organized and summarized in order to provide a clear and concise written about the developments and main findings in the field. Results: A general approach of the main aspects for the study is obtained. This research presents an overview of the aspects involved in the inclusion of chemical compounds and the interactions between the polymer matrix of chitosan and the chemicals included, according to their function and composition. Conclusions: The inclusion of chemicals modifies the physical, chemical and antimicrobial properties of the chitosan films due to the molecular interactions between these compounds and the polymer matrix, the structural changes and the modification of the physical, chemical and antimicrobial properties of the films, as well as other factors involved. For this reason, the current challenges are based on innovative methods to propose the inclusion of chemical compounds that improve the chitosan films properties.

Keywords : Chitosan; polymers; modified films; food additives.

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