SWELLING BEHAVIOR OF PECTIN CHITOSAN COMPLEX FILMS/

The swelling behavior of the complex film formed from pectin and chito san was studied. The swelling degree increased sharply in the case of pH less than 2 and larger than 7. The swelling mechanisms of the compl ex film in acidic and alkaline medium are discussed, respectively. Mor eover, the swelling degree could be modulated by means of the weight r atio of pectin to chitosan and the original weight concentration of pe ctin aqueous solution. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.