Effect of homogenization conditions on physicochemical properties of chitosan-based film-forming dispersions and films

Film-forming dispersions (FFD) based on high molecular weight chitosan (CH) alone or in combination with oleic acid (OA) were prepared under different homogenization conditions (rotor-stator or rotor stator together with microfluidization at different pressures). Film-forming dispersions (FFD) were characterized in terms of particle size distribution, rheological properties, distribution and ζ-potential. In order to study the impact of the properties of the FFD on the casted films, the water vapour permeability, mechanical properties and microstructure of the dry films were evaluated. Results showed that microfluidization promoted significant changes in the size and surface charge of the FFD particles, which in turn had an impact on the rheological properties of the FFD. The changes were more marked with the increase in microfluidization pressure. As regards film properties, the higher the microfluidization pressure in the FFD, the lower the water vapour permeability values and the stiffer the CH-OA composite films. These results were explained by film microstructure, which was observed by SEM.