Characteristics of karaya gum based films: Amelioration by inclusion of Schisandra chinensis oil and its oleogel in the film formulation.

This research was focused to develop novel karaya gum films, modified by adding Schisandra chinensis oil and its oleogel. The films produced were assessed for physicochemical, mechanical, thermal and structural characteristics. Glass transition temperature (Tg) of control karaya gum films was recorded as 145.70 °C. Insignificant (p < 0.05) changes occurred in Tg of films in which oil was incorporated, irrespective of the concentration. However, Tg decreased significantly (p < 0.05) as oleogel was added to the karaya gum films and lowest Tg occurred for the KGOG3 films which contained highest concentration of oleogel. X-ray diffraction test depicted an obsolete amorphous behavior of control karaya gum film whereas some peaks appeared in other film samples. Scanning electron micrography (SEM) revealed a reduction in roughness and grainy morphology when oil or oleogel was added to the films. Addition of oil/oleogel enhanced the phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity of the films.