Chitin is one of the most available natural polymers, safe and non toxic, while chitin nanocrystal or nanofibrils represents its purest form. Chitin nanofibrils, obtained in water suspension from seafood waste, showed interesting anti-septic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that allowed their application in the cosmetic sector [1]. Anyway, other sectors can benefit of these properties, such as packaging [2] or personal care ones. It was demonstrated that chitin nanofibrils suspensions can be applied as coating, also in the presence of chitosan, for improving anti-microbial properties in cellulose board-based food packaging, thus increasing the shelf life of products. Moreover, in personal care, where the product is in contact with human skin, chitin nano-fibrils can find another important application field as they could be used for their anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties [3]. Flexible renewable and biodegradable films [4-5] are necessary to enable this kind of application. For preparing them, investigations consisting of miniextrusion and flat die extrusion trials were carried out and chitin nanofibrils were added to prepare nanobiocomposites. The dispersion efficiency as well as viscosity in the melt were found to be critical for controlling processability in flat die extrusion. Nanobiocomposites can help in promoting circular economy implementation, as they are both renewable and compostable. Hence, they can represent a valid alternative to current petrochemical counterparts in the attempt to decrease the environmental impact of short life products such as those typical of packaging and personal care sectors.
Chitin nanofibrils in renewable materials for packaging and personal care applications
Maria-Beatrice Coltelli;Vito Gigante;Luca Panariello;Serena Danti;Andrea Lazzeri
2018-01-01
Abstract
Chitin is one of the most available natural polymers, safe and non toxic, while chitin nanocrystal or nanofibrils represents its purest form. Chitin nanofibrils, obtained in water suspension from seafood waste, showed interesting anti-septic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that allowed their application in the cosmetic sector [1]. Anyway, other sectors can benefit of these properties, such as packaging [2] or personal care ones. It was demonstrated that chitin nanofibrils suspensions can be applied as coating, also in the presence of chitosan, for improving anti-microbial properties in cellulose board-based food packaging, thus increasing the shelf life of products. Moreover, in personal care, where the product is in contact with human skin, chitin nano-fibrils can find another important application field as they could be used for their anti-septic and anti-inflammatory properties [3]. Flexible renewable and biodegradable films [4-5] are necessary to enable this kind of application. For preparing them, investigations consisting of miniextrusion and flat die extrusion trials were carried out and chitin nanofibrils were added to prepare nanobiocomposites. The dispersion efficiency as well as viscosity in the melt were found to be critical for controlling processability in flat die extrusion. Nanobiocomposites can help in promoting circular economy implementation, as they are both renewable and compostable. Hence, they can represent a valid alternative to current petrochemical counterparts in the attempt to decrease the environmental impact of short life products such as those typical of packaging and personal care sectors.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
