Chitin and chitosan-based blends, composites, and nanocomposites for packaging applications

Abstract Recently, biodegradable materials have been considered as substitute components for synthetic plastic materials in order to make food packaging. Chitin and chitosan are in the category of raw materials that can be applied as packaging polymers because of their functional properties. These materials can be achieved from the disposal wastes of sea products. Hence economically, it is worth finding ways of converting these wastes to advantageous materials. This chapter reviews the recent research into chitin and chitosan-based films and coatings or other polymers containing these materials as improvers of their properties. Moreover, film production methods and the effect of different parameters on physicochemical properties of chitin and chitosan-containing films such as thermal, mechanical, antimicrobial, antioxidant properties, and permeability to water vapor and oxygen gases are studied.