Optimum Blend of Chitosan and Poly-(ε-caprolactone) for Fabrication of Films for Food Packaging Applications

The present work deals with the preparation and characterization of the chitosan and poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PCL) solution-casted blended films in various proportions (chitosan-PCL ratio 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30). The films were casted and dried at 55 A degrees C, which were characterized based on the mechanical, barrier, thermal, and microscopic properties. The film prepared from chitosan to PCL ratio 80:20 resulted in increase percentage elongation by 20.56% as compared to pure chitosan film. Fourier transform infrared spectrum indicated a shift in peak of absorption from 1743.9 to 1724.8 cm(-1) due to carbonyl group of PCL indicating the miscibility and interaction between the PCL and chitosan. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that PCL appeared as a co-continuous phase with chitosan for ratio 80:20, confirmed the interaction between chitosan and PCL. The above study indicated that the properties of chitosan films can be modified with the addition of PCL and may find its versatile use in food packaging.