Abstract

Chitosan films or membranes can be obtained by casting chitosan solutions in acetic acid at 1 % w/v concentration at room temperature. The films set were elaborated from 2% chitosan solutions mixed with three plasticizers (polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG), sorbitol and glycerol) and two surfactants (Tween 60 and Tween 80) at two concentrations. The goal was to decrease the water vapor permeability and to improve the mechanical properties of chitosan films. The effects of plasticizers (PEG, sorbitol and glycerol) and emulsifiers (Tween 60 and Tween 80) at two concentrations from chitosan solution on water vapor permeability and mechanical properties of cast films were evaluated. Water vapor permeability ranged from 3.64 to 6.56 g mm / h m