Valorization of marine wastes in a preserving film based on chitosan for food applications

One of the best alternatives to reduce current packaging waste is the use of biodegradable films that allow the final replacement bags plastic packaging which are not recycled and are thus a pollution source. in this study,chitosan (cs)/bentonite (bt) nanocomposite was prepared by the intercalation of chitosan in bentonite to form miscible,biodegradable nanocomposite material used as packaging films for food preservation. in order to valorize the moroccan marine wastes,chitosan was prepared from exoskeletons of shrimps. furthermore,thanks to the excellent film-forming capacity and antimicrobial properties of chitosane,this material reduces the use of chemical preservatives. chitosan/bentonite nanocomposites are economically interesting because they are easy to prepare and involve inexpensive chemical reagents. chitosan is a deacetylated derivative of chitin,which is the most abundant polysaccharide in nature after cellulose; it is a natural polysaccharide,biocompatible and biodegradable in addition to the antibacterial properties that can be useful in many areas as the food packaging industry. in the same way bentonite are abundant and low-cost natural materials. although chitosan/bentonite nanocomposites shape a natural films with a great potential and provide physical protection and they are biocompatible and biologically active towards microbial growth,while being non-toxic and biodegradable.