Biodegradability Behavior of Cross-Linked Calcium Caseinate Films

Abstract

gamma-Irradiation was used to produce free-standing biodegradable caseinate films. The effect of the irradiation dose (i.e., the number of cross-links) on the biodegradability behavior of these films using a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated. Results showed that the overall degradation processes were similar for both types of films (4 or 64 kGy). The main difference was observed in terms of the period of degradation which was delayed 8 days for the film containing the highest extent of cross-linking (64 kGy).