Title: Characteristics of Chitosan Films
Authors: Elham S. Elgannoudi, Samar A. Mohammed, Wafa A. Abu Alqasim, Retaj A. Abdulkarim, Esam A. Elhefian,,
Volume: 9
Issue: 3
Pages: 10-14
Publication Date: 2025/03/28
Abstract:
Chitosan is a long-chain natural polymer derived from chitin by a process called deacetylation. Chitin is found in some marine crustaceans such as crabs and shrimps and is considered the most abundant natural polymer in nature after cellulose. Chitosan has unique and valuable properties such as biodegradability, bioactivity, and antimicrobial activity, in addition to being non-toxic, and can be prepared in different forms such as films, gels, and porous structures. In this research, chitosan films were prepared by the casting method, and then some physical properties (moisture, solubility, swelling degree) of these films were measured at room temperature. The results showed that the moisture content of chitosan films reached 11.84%, and this result may be relatively high, due to the hydrophilic nature of this polymer. The results also showed that there is a direct proportion between the percentage of solubility and swelling degree on the one hand and the duration of immersion of the films in distilled water (up to 24 hours) on the other hand. Knowing the physical properties of chitosan, such as moisture, solubility, and swelling, is of great importance in many industries in which this polymer is used, such as the pharmaceutical and food packaging industries.