The aim of this work was to develop polyelectrolyte material suitable for active beef steaks coatings, by complexation of chitosan (CH) and sodium alginate (ALG) in a broad range of alginate/chitosan ratios (R). The rheological analysis confirmed significant effect of polymers ratios on the physical properties of sodium alginate-chitosan (ACH) hydrosols. The shear thinning non-Newtonian nature, thixotropic behavior and gel-like structure of solutions were displayed. Obtained complexes possess DPPH radical scavenging activity corresponding to 5.33, 17.06 and 41.41μMTrolox/ml for 0ppm, 500ppm and 1000pmm of sodium erythorbate dose, respectively. Application of ACH hydrosols enriched with 1000ppm of sodium erythorbate enhanced redness and color stability of beef steaks during storage (∆E after 2-weeks of storage=1.44±0.08) compared to uncovered beef (∆E after 2-weeks of storage=3.53±0.13). The limited solubility in range of 0%-54.56% as well as favorable wetting properties (contact angle between 45°-66°) of polyelectrolyte ACH films were obtained.
Keywords: Active coatings; Alginate; Beef; Chitosan; Color stability; DPPH radical scavenging activity; Fluorescent light; Polyelectrolyte complex; Rheological analysis; Sodium erythorbate.
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