FUNCTIONAL PACKAGING PROPERTIES OF CHITOSAN FILMS

The barrier properties of chitosan and crosslinked chitosan films with respect to water vapour at three water activities, oxygen transmissio n rates and grease resistance values have been determined. Other prope rties evaluated include tensile strength, tear resistance and burst st rength. In general, the cross-linked chitosan films possessed greater permeabilities and lesser values for mechanical properties. The water vapour permeabilities were found to be influenced by water activity, o beying non-Fickian behaviour characteristic of hydrophilic polymers.