Abstract

Chitosan films were prepared by casting, using microwave and dried by air convection. No scientific literature covers the use of microwave heating in the preparation of chitosan films by casting technique. Effects of heating time, molecular weight and plasticizer on structure, thermal behavior, surface, barrier properties and light transmission were investigated. Heating time showed that the microwave heating did not affect the structural composition and thermal decomposition of chitosan films. UV-vis light barrier properties, equilibrium moisture content and water vapor permeability varied significantly with the heating treatment. Surface film analysis revealed no captured differences between different heating treatments. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.