Experimental investigation of novel curdlan/chitosan coatings on packaging paper.

In the research, paper was successfully coated with curdlan and chitosan (CR/CH) coating solutions at different ratios (CR/CH ≈ 10:0, 8:2, 6:4, 5:5, 2:8, 4:6, 0:10% w/w). The novelty of this paper is in the use of combination of curdlan and chitosan, which led to a positive effect on the mechanical and water barrier properties. The tensile properties were improved when the ratio between polymers was 5:5. Coated papers were further investigated for their bursting strength, tear and bending resistance. Pure curdlan coating worsen the tensile and moisture properties and allowed to prepare the blend coatings with different amounts of chitosan. The equilibrium thickness of coatings as a function of curdlan content and tensile strength has shown a decrease in tensile strength. This has resulted in reduction of tensile strength especially at higher thickness. The resulting blend curdlan/chitosan coatings exhibited good water barrier and mechanical properties and could be used in many fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]