The influence of thermal crosslinking on solubility of films prepared from collagen hydrolysate

The presented work describes a method of utilizing collagen hydrolysate obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis of chrome-tanned shavings for preparing biodegradable films. Films were prepared by casting from a solution of collagen hydrolysate with added plasticizer (glycerol) and cross-linking agent (starch dialdehyde). Films thus prepared were subjected to thermal annealing at 60, 70, 80 and 90 °C for 24 hours. Thermal annealing is a mode of physical cross-linking of biodegradable films. The work studied effect of thermal crosslinking on film solubility. Solubility curves are important for applying biodegradable films in industrial practice. Thermal annealing was found to affect the crosslinking degree of prepared film in significant manner, hence, also, its solubility. Results indicate that collagen hydrolysate, following certain modification by plasticizer and cross-linking agent is capable of producing films whose properties may be additionally modified.