Preparation and characterization of pullulan–chitosan and pullulan–carboxymethyl chitosan blended films

The characteristics of pullulan–chitosan and pullulan–carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCH) blended films were investigated. The viscosity of the film-forming solutions, mechanical properties, barrier properties (water and oxygen), water solubility, and color are reported. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were used to study the interactions and compatibility between the polysaccharides. The addition of the chitosan or CMCH to pullulan effectively modified the mechanical and oxygen barrier property of the film. The improvements in the film properties have been related to strong interactions between chitosan/CMCH and pullulan polymers, which were observed with FTIR spectroscopy. The ratio of pullulan and chitosan to achieve films with optimum mechanical properties, oxygen and water barrier properties was identified to be 1:1. Increased concentrations of chitosan lead to the formation of inter-molecular hydrogen bonds rather than the intra-molecular hydrogen bonds which were suggested from XRD measurements.

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► Blend ratio of pullulan and chitosan to achieve film with optimal properties was 1:1.
► Strong hydrogen bond interactions existed between the chitosan and pullulan.
► Chitosan-pullulan film showed better mechanical property than the pullulan film.
► Addition of chitosan into pullulan modified the oxygen barrier property of the film.