CHITOSAN PECTIN LAMINATED FILMS

Chitosan/lactic acid films were cast upon pectin films with either gly cerol or lactic acid as plasticizer to give clear laminated films with dynamic mechanical properties similar to those for pectin films alone . To prevent fungal growth, lactic acid was used to replace glycerol i n the pectin film without significant change in dynamic mechanical pro perties. The storage modulus and loss modulus of chitosan/pectin lamin ated films were significantly greater than respective moduli of chitos an films alone. Water vapor permeation of pectin or chitosan films, ma de with lactic acid, was unchanged by lamination.