Development of biopolymer film with different ratios of gelatine to chitosan reinforced with zinc oxide nanoparticles for food covering/preservation

In this research project, gelatine and chitosan have been chosen to form a composite film and the zinc oxide nanoparticles have been used to increase the properties of the composite film. In the experiment, the ratio of gelatine to chitosan as well as the amount of zinc oxide nanoparticles have been manipulated. These composite film with the gelatine (G) to chitosan (Ch) ratio of 40G:60Ch, 50G:50Ch, 60G:40Ch have incorporated with 0 mg, 1 mg and 10 mg of ZnO NP in each film. A layer of smooth film with 30 μm thickness were produced. From the experiment, the higher the ratio of chitosan in the composite have resulted a stronger adhesive properties of the film. Due to the high adhesive properties, ratio of 50G:50Ch and 60G:40Ch composite films were not able to be peeled off from the dish. Hence, only ratio of 40G:60Ch composite film with different amount of zinc oxide nanoparticles were evaluated. The transparency of the film decreased while increasing the amount of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Despite that, 10 mg zinc oxide loaded film has 10 % decrease in its water solubility as compared to the film that without loaded with nanoparticles. Moreover, the film loaded with 10 mg zinc oxide have a better ability to withstand in an acidic condition. When contact with 1 % acetic acid solution, the film could maintain its original shape but for the film loaded with 0 mg and 1 mg nanoparticles have rolled up when contacted with the acid solution. All the test samples were dissolved completely in acid solution after 24 hours.