Development and characterization of flaxseed mucilage and elastin/collagen biofilms.

Flaxseed mucilage (FSM)-based biofilms were prepared with varying compositions of the elastin/collagen (ELN/COL) protein matrix. These biofilms were characterized by using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The thickness, water solubility, moisture content, transparency, and mechanical properties of biofilms were investigated. The biofilms were observed to be homogeneous and flexible. The addition of 40 % w/w ELN/COL to the FSM biofilms (FSM-ELN/COL biofilms) enhanced the thickness from 0.127 to 0.142 mm, water solubility from 59.30 to 84.60 % and elongation at break from 91.4 to 188.6 %. However, the reductions in the tensile strength from 6.56 to 4.69 MPa and melting point from 140 °C to 134 °C of the biofilms were observed. The transparency value of 40 % w/w FSM-ELN/COL biofilms increased from 5.42 to 7.19 due to the presence of ELN/COL within the FSM matrix that hinders the light transmission passing through the biofilm. FTIR and XRD tests indicated hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions occurred between FSM and ELN/COL, giving rise to a good compatibility of the system. FSM-ELN/COL biofilms fabricated in this work had appropriate mechanical and thermal stability, thus the promising potential to be employed as food packaging and coating.