Anti-degradation gelatin films crosslinked by active ester based on cellulose

Functionalization of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with EDTA dianhydride (EDTAD) was first achieved using an esterification reaction. N-Hydroxysuccinimide-activated MCC-EDTAD ester (MEN), a novel macromolecule crosslinker based on MCC, was synthesized for the modification of gelatin films. The reaction between gelatin and MEN was verified by the residual free amino test, FTIR and XRD spectra. The introduction of MEN into gelatin decreased the film degradation ratio and increased its thermal stability, flexibility, hydrophobicity, light barrier performance and water uptake ability. Additionally, SEM images proved the successful surface grafting reaction and degradation phenomenon. This unique gelatin film material with advanced properties broke the limitation of the blending method for modification of gelatin with macromolecules and broadened its application as a novel sustained-release material.