Permeability and Mechanical Properties of Cellulose-Based Edible Films |
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| Authors: | HJ PARK CL WELLER PJ VERGANO RF TESTIN |
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| Affiliation: | Author Park is with the Dept. of Agricultural &Biological Engineering, Clemson Univ., Clemson, SC 29631.;Authors Vergano and Testin are with the Dept. of Food Science, Clemson Univ., Clemson, SC 29631.;Author Weller formerly with the Dept. of Agricultural &Biological Engineering, Clemson Univ., and is now with the Dept. of Biological Systems Engineering, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583–0726. |
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| Abstract: | Factors affecting barrier properties oxygen permeability (OP) and water vapor permeability (WVP)] and mechanical properties tensile strength (TS) and elongation (E)] were investigated for methyl cellulose (MC) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) films. OP, WVP and TS of MC and HPC films increased as the molecular weight (MW) of the cellulose increased. E of MC films increased as MW increased, but E of HPC films was highest for the intermediate MW of 370,000. OP, WVP and TS of MC films were not a function of thickness, but E slowly increased as film thickness increased. OP and WVP of HPC films were not relatable to film thickness, but TS and E of HPC films slowly increased as film thickness increased. TS decreased and E increased for both film types as concentration of plasticizers was increased. Plasticizers enhanced or retarded OP and WVP of cellulose-based films, depending on their concentrations. |
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| Keywords: | edible films coatings moisture barrier gas barrier permeability |
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