Pectin- and gelatin-based film: effect of gamma irradiation on the mechanical properties and biodegradation

Agricultural by-products, pectin and gelatin, were used to prepare a biodegradable film. The film casting solution including the pectin and gelatin was irradiated at 0, 10, 20, and 30kGy to investigate the irradiation effect on the mechanical properties of the film. The tensile strength of the lOkGy-irradiated film was the highest among the treatments but the elongation at break, water vapour permeability, and swelling ratio were the lowest. Hunter color L-*- and a*-values decreased but the b(*)-value increased as the irradiation dose increased. The total organic carbon content produced from the Paenibacillus polymyxa and Pseudomonas aeruginosa also showed that the film of 10 kGy-irradiated was lower than those of 0, 20, and 30kGy-irradiated films. In conclusion, irradiation of the film casting solution at 10 kGy increased the mechanical properties of the pectin and gelatin based film. To manufacture the film by agricultural by-products, however, the irradiation dose of the film casting solution should be determined to achieve better mechanical properties. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.