Caracterização físico-química de filmes de quitosana e o uso potencial em recobrimento de sementes

Abstract

Chitosan is a polysaccharide obtained from the deacetylation of chitin, which is found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans and insects. Seed coating techniques emerged mainly intending to assist their performance in the field during germination. The formation of a solid and uniform thin layer around the seeds based on synthetic or natural polymers guarantees greater protection against mechanical damage, biotic and abiotic factors, and enables the incorporation of nutrients and other active agents. The use of biopolymers in seed coating represents a sustainable alternative and can reduce environmental impacts. The physicochemical characterization of the film-forming formulations is crucial to understanding the behavior of coated seeds. In this context, the present work aimed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of chitosan films with different concentrations of biopolymer and glycerol (plasticizer). The molecular weight and degree of deacetylation of the chitosan were determined. The films were produced by casting and characterized in terms of their visual appearance, thickness, moisture content, water vapor permeability (WVP), water absorption, crystallinity, and chemical structure. The results gathered indicate that the chitosan-based formulations show good perspectives for seed coating applications.