PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PECTIN-CHITOSAN BLENDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BIOMATERIALS

The study aimed at the production and characterization of polymeric films of pectin and chitosan aiming at the development of new sustainable materials. The chitosan used was supplied by PRIMEX and the pectin was extracted from the macaúba pulp cake. The blends were prepared in 1% acetic acid, with the addition of glycerol, mechanically mixed, and subsequently characterized for thickness, solubility, grammage, water vapor permeability (PVA), tension and elongation. The film ratios were 0PE:1CH (100% chitosan), 1PE:0CH (100% pectin), 1PE:1CH and 1PE:2CH. The results showed that 1PE:0CH film was the thickest (79.33 ± 10.07 μm), while 1PE:1CH was the least (43.00 ± 6.83 μm). In solubility, all samples almost reached full solubility (96-98%), except for 1PE:0CH which was 100%. In terms of grammage, 1PE:0CH had the highest density (103 ± 5.77 g/m²) and 1PE:2CH the lowest (28.00 ± 5.56 g/m²). All PVA values were high, with 1PE:0CH being the most permeable (6181.93 ± 58.46 g.μm/m².day.mmHg) and 1PE:2CH less (3018.78 ± 89.17 g.μm/m².day.mmHg). In the tensile strength tests, the film 1PE:1CH showed the lowest strength (36.07 MPa) and 0PE:1CH the highest (40.47 MPa). All films broke to an elongation of 3.03 mm. The blends have characteristics that make them promising for various applications. The high PVA and high solubility indicate significant potential for use in biodegradable packaging, while the suitable mechanical properties allow for application in tissue engineering.