Razvoj biorazgradivog aktivnog ambalažnog materijala na bazi hitozana : sinteza, optimizacija svojstava, karakterizacija i primena / Development of biodegradable active packaging material from chitosan: synthesis, optimisation of properties, characterisat

The subject of the doctoral dissertation is development of active edible coating based on chitosan with added herb essential oils and beeswax, as well as its application for dry fermented sausage shelf life extension. In order to realize the program of investigation, three basic groups of films were produced: chitosanessential oil of oregano, chitosan-essential oil of caraway and chitosan-essential oil of caraway-beeswax. Simultaneously with the production of films, collagenchitosan laminated casings were produced. In the production of films and laminated casings, two wet methods were applied. Films were produced by casting method, while laminated casings were produced by coating collagen casing with filmogenic emulsion. During production, the influence of different parameters on properties of produced films and casings was investigated: viscosity and concentration of chitosan, addition of poly (ethylene oxide) as copolymer in the films, addition of different concentration of essential oils, mixing and temperature conditions, as well as addition of different concentration of beeswax. Produced films and laminated casings were vii characterized by the investigation of properties that are important for material application, namely physicalmechanical (thickness, tensile strength and elongation at break), structural (ATR-FTIR spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy), physical-chemical (water content, swelling, solubility), barrier (gas permeability and water vapor transmission rate) properties and biological activity (antioxidative and antimicrobial activity). Based on detail characterization, films and casings with optimal properties were selected for application on Petrovac sausage with and without the addition af commercial or indigenous starter culture for preservation during storage. The effect of coating application was analyzed based on the quality parameters of Petrovac sausage, namely: water content, pH value, color, lipid oxidation and sensory profile of taste and odor of the sausage during storage. Based on presented results, it can be concluded that active edible coating based on chitosan was synthesized, with optimized barrier, physical-chemical, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Synthesized coating has lower water transmission rate with preserved low gas permeability, lowered sensibility to humidity and more pronounced antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Despite optimized water vapor barrier properties, chitosan coating with addition of essential oils and/or beeswax did not show the effect in preserving the water content in the sausage during storage. Investigated coatings contributed to the preservation of core color of the sausage, but this effect was not fully expressed in all types of sausages and coatings. All three parameters for investigation of oxidative changes in the sausage showed that chitosan coating with essential oils of oregano and caraway and beeswax efficiently preserved sausage from unwanted oxidative changes. Mutual conclusion from the experiments is that chitosan coating shows preservative effect on the sensory profile of taste and odor till approximately 5 months of storage. On this level of coating development, it can be recommended as auxiliary packaging material.