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1.
Characterization of bacterial cellulose films combined with chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol: Evaluation of mechanical and barrier properties
Patricia Cazón, Gonzalo Velazquez, Manuel Vazquez, 2019, original scientific article

Abstract: Bacterial cellulose (BC) produced by Komagataeibacter xylinus is a biomaterial with a unique three-dimensional structure. To improve the mechanical properties and reinforce the BC films, they were immersed in polyvinyl alcohol (0–4%) and chitosan (0–1%) baths. Moisture content, mechanical properties and water vapour perme- ability were measured to assess the effect of polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan. The morphology, optical, structural and thermal properties were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, spectral analysis, thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. Results showed that moisture content was significantly affected by the chitosan presence. Tensile strength values in the 20.76–41.65 MPa range were similar to those of synthetic polymer films. Percentage of elongation ranged from 2.28 to 21.82% and Young's modulus ranged from 1043.88 to 2247.82 MPa. The water vapour permeability (1.47×10−11–3.40×10−11 g/m s Pa) decreased with the addition of polyvinyl alcohol. The developed films own UV light barrier properties and optimal visual appearance.
Keywords: Films, Bacterial cellulose, Water vapor permeability, Chitosan, Polyvinyl alcohol, UV protection
Published in RUNG: 14.12.2020; Views: 2218; Downloads: 0
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2.
Environmentally Friendly Films Combining Bacterial Cellulose, Chitosan, and Polyvinyl Alcohol: Effect of Water Activity on Barrier, Mechanical, and Optical Properties
Patricia Cazón, Manuel Vazquez, Gonzalo Velazquez, 2019, original scientific article

Abstract: The interest in developing new materials intended for food packaging based on bacterial cellulose is growing in the recent years. Flexible and transparent films from bacterial cellulose-chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol have shown excellent UV-barrier properties. However, this composite material interacts with ambient moisture modifying its water activity due to its hydrophilic nature. In this work, an extensive study was carried out to evaluate the changes in the properties of these films as a function of water activity. Moisture adsorption isotherm were described by the GAB method. Results showed the plasticizing effect of water molecules increasing the water vapour permeability of the samples from 1.86·10-12 to 1.17·10-11 g/m·s·Pa, the percentage of elongation from 3.25 to 36.55% and the distance to burst from 0.64 to 5.12 mm. The increase of the water activity dropped the tensile strength values from 74.76 to 38.56 MPa, Young’s modulus values from 3133.46 to 30.71 MPa and burst strength to 703.87 g. The values of the UV-barrier were maintained at the wide range of water activity. Consequently, water molecules do not affect the UV-barrier properties of the films.
Keywords: GAB model, moisture adsorption isotherms, plasticization, bacterial cellulose, mechanical properties, UV-barrier properties, moisture content
Published in RUNG: 09.12.2020; Views: 2422; Downloads: 0
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3.
Bacterial cellulose films: Evaluation of the water interaction
Patricia Cazón, Gonzalo Velazquez, Manuel Vazquez, 2020, original scientific article

Abstract: Bacterial cellulose is a biopolymer that is gaining attention due to its 3D structure, higher purity, porosity and surface area. However, this material can interact with water molecules from the surrounding environment, resulting in alterations of its properties. Hence, the purpose of this study was to analyze the modifications on the mechanical, water vapor permeability and optical properties of bacterial cellulose films as a function of the water activity. Results indicated that water acted as a plasticizer, mainly affecting mechanical and water vapor permeability properties. The moisture adsorption isotherms allowed predicting the moisture content of the bacterial cellulose films at several relative humidity conditions. Values for tensile strength and burst strength ranged from 15.50 to 22.28 MPa and from 145.03–338.10 g, respectively. The elongation and the distance to burst ranged from 1.36 to 3.71 % and from 0.39 to 1.86 mm, respectively. These values increased due to the plasticizing effect of the water molecules. Water vapor permeability values ranged from 1.35·10−12 to 3.13·10-11 g/ m s Pa, showing a significant increase up to 0.48 of water activity. Bacterial cellulose films showed excellent UV-barrier properties in the different water activities evaluated.
Keywords: GAB model, Moisture adsorption isotherms, Bacterial cellulose, Mechanical properties, UV-barrier properties
Published in RUNG: 09.12.2020; Views: 2434; Downloads: 0
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4.
UV-protecting films based on bacterial cellulose, glycerol and polyvinyl alcohol: effect of water activity on barrier, mechanical and optical properties
Patricia Cazón, Gonzalo Velazquez, Manuel Vazquez, 2020, original scientific article

Abstract: Biodegradable films based on bacterial cellulose, glycerol and polyvinyl alcohol are a new alternative to develop food packaging with the capac- ity to retard or inhibit the effect of UV radiation. However, these compounds are sensitive to moisture. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the modifications of the mechanical, water vapor permeability and optical properties of these composite films depending on their water activity. Results showed that water molecules acted as a plasticizer agent, modifying the mechanical, water vapor perme- ability and optical properties of the developed films. However, an overplastification process took place at higher activity water, resulting in a weakness of film structure and decreasing drastically the elongation. The transmittance in the UV–VIS light region decreased when the activity water increased. No significant variations were observed in color, trans- parency or opacity properties.
Keywords: GAB model, Moisture adsorption isotherms, Plasticization, Bacterial cellulose, Mechanical properties, UV-barrier properties
Published in RUNG: 09.12.2020; Views: 2378; Downloads: 90
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5.
Improving bacterial cellulose films by ex-situ and in-situ modifications: a review
Patricia Cazón, Manuel Vazquez, 2021, review article

Abstract: The high intake of plastic materials for food packaging causes environmental problems due to the nonbiodegradable properties of these materials. High, low and very low-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene and polypropylene are the main materials used. Biodegradable polymers from natural sources are potential raw materials to develop novel food packaging. Bacterial cellulose is a material with extraordinary properties that is gaining special interest for applications in the Food Industry. The excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability and barrier to water vapor, oxygen and UV radiation of bacterial cellulose compared to other polysaccharides make this material very attractive and a potential alternative to non-biodegradable synthetic materials. Nevertheless, bacterial cellulose films are limited due to their lower elasticity. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide an overview of the ex-situ and in-situ modifications of bacterial cellulose to improve its properties for the development of films for food packaging.
Keywords: Bacterial cellulose, In-situ modifications, Ex-situ modifications, Food packaging.
Published in RUNG: 09.12.2020; Views: 2437; Downloads: 0
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