Hydrophobization and Antimicrobial Activity of Chitosan and Paper-Based Packaging Material

This study reports the elaboration of water-resistant, antimicrobial, chitosan and paper-based materials as environmentally friendly food packaging materials. Two types of papers were coated with chitosan−palmitic acid emulsions or with a blend of chitosan and O,O′-dipalmitoylchitosan (DPCT). Micromorphology studies showed that inclusion of hydrophobic compounds into the chitosan matrix was enhanced by grafting them onto chitosan and that this led to their penetration of the paper's core. Compared to chitosan-coated papers, the coating of chitosan−palmitic emulsion kept vapor-barrier properties unchanged (239 and 170 g·m−2·d−1 versus 241 and 161 g·m−2·d−1), while the coating of chitosan−DPCT emulsion dramatically deteriorated them (441 and 442 g.m−2.d−1). However, contact angle measurements (110−120° after 1 min) and penetration dynamics analysis showed that both strategies improved liquid-water resistance of the materials. Kit-test showed that all hydrophobized chitosan-coated papers kept good grease barrier properties (degree of resistance 6-8/12). Finally, all chitosan-coated materials exhibited over 98% inhibition on Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes.