Characterisation of composite films made of konjac glucomannan (KGM), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and lipid

Emulsion films prepared from konjac glucomannan (KGM), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), with and without alkali (KOH), were characterised for selected properties such as morphological characteristics, water vapour permeability (WVP), water sorptive capacity and tensile properties. It was found that smaller lipid globules, with a homogeneous distribution, increased the apparent hydrophobicity and "tortuosity" of an emulsion film for water molecule transmission, thereby resulting in reduced WVP. This was achieved when alkaline deacetylated KGM and CMC were served as the base polymers for the emulsion, with the latter functioning as an emulsifier. Interactions between deacetylated KGM and CMC resulted in a stable emulsion. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.