Composite films of zinc calcium alginate were prepared by a film maker from 7 wt% sodium alginate solution and then they solidified into 3, 5 wt% content ZnCl2, CaCl2 solution followed by washing and drying at room temperature. The characteristics were measured with several methods (antimicrobial activity, water solubility, swelling ratio and viscosity, SEM, EDS) and the film properties were investigated. Composite films of zinc calcium alginate showed an increase in the water resistance by increasing ZnCl2 and CaCl2 content and the antimicrobial test showed that the calcium alginate as well as zinc alginate films result in excellent antimicrobial activity in the two strains, Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli. The results show the possible improvement of the physical properties of composite films.

7 wt% alginate를 용액상태로 제조한 후 필름 메이커를 이용하여 필름 형태로 만든 후 3, 5 wt%의 ZnCl2, CaCl2 수용액에 필름을 고화시킨 후 수세하여 상온에서 건조시켜 zinc calcium alginate 복합필름을 제조하였다. 필름의 특성을 조사하기 위하여 항균성, 수용해도, 팽윤도 및 점도, SEM, EDS 분석 등을 측정하였다. Zinc calcium alginate 복합필름은 ZnCl2, CaCl2 함량이 증가할수록 용해저항성은 증가하였으며, 항균성 시험 결과, zinc alginate 필름뿐만 아니라 calcium alginate 필름에서도 두 균주(포도상구균, 대장균) 모두 우수한 항균력을 확인하였으며, 본 연구를 통해 복합필름의 물성개선의 가능성을 확인하였다.

Keywords: zinc calcium alginate films; ZnCl2; CaCl2; antimicrobial activity.