Properties of fish gelatin films containing epigallocatechin gallate fabricated by thermo-compression molding

An alternative approach towards more producible active films based on fish gelatin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) fabricated by thermo-compression molding was investigated in this study. This strategy permitted the reduction of production times. Furthermore, EGCG, used as a natural antioxidant, promoted the interaction with gelatin, as shown by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, total soluble matter, X-ray diffraction and thermo-gravimetric analyses. This interaction led to the formation of homogeneous structures, as observed by scanning electron microscopy, indicating a good compatibility among all the components of the mixture. Films with EGCG at 5.71% and 17.14% showed good mechanical properties, both tensile strength and elongation at break. In addition, EGCG provided films with lower gloss and mass loss as well as slow release profile with DPPH radical scavenging activity. Therefore, optimum level of EGCG rendered satisfactory functional properties for thermo-compression molded gelatin films, which could be used for food or pharmaceutical applications.