ANTIMICROBIAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF METHYLCELLULOSE AND CHITOSAN FILMS CONTAINING A PRESERVATIVE

The methylcellulose was mixed with chitosan as well as 4% of sodium be nzoate or potassium sorbate to form a film. investigations of the anti mycotic activity of the film on Penicillium notatum and Rhodotorula ru bra revealed that it possessed significant antifungal properties. At 2 5C, approximately 43-45% of the preservatives were released from the f ilm to the glycerol-water mixture in the first 30 min. The maximum amo unt of preservative that could be released from the film at 25C was ap proximately 57-65%. At 4C, 38-39% of preservatives were released from the film within 30 min, and reached a maximum amount of 49% in approxi mately 6 h. The FT-IR spectrum showed that the ionic interaction betwe en -COO- of preservatives and -NH3+ of chitosan existed in the film. H owever, the incorporation of preservatives did not affect the tensile strength and elongation property of the methylcellulose/chitosan film.