Tara gum films were successfully produced with the inclusion of bulk chitosan or chitosan nanoparticles
at various concentrations. The composites films were compared in terms of antimicrobial activity,
thermomechanical, physicochemical and barrier properties. The thermal stability of the films was
studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Xray
diffraction (XRD) measurements were used to study the interactions and compatibility between the
polysaccharides with in the films. The microstructure of the films was analyzed using atomic force
microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles
improved mechanical, physicochemical and barrier properties. Tensile strength was increased by
35.73 MPa while the elongation was decreased by 7.21%. Water solubility and water vapor permeability
(WVP) were reduced by 74.3% and 22.7%, respectively. The compact structure of the chitosan nanoparticles
reduced the free volume of the polymer matrix more than bulk chitosan by obstructing the
diffusion of water and thereby decreasing the moisture content of the films. Additionally, the microstructure
of the films showed that the nanoparticles were distributed homogenously with in the
structure and increased the roughness of the surface. However, tara gum films with bulk chitosan
exhibited better antimicrobial activity. Incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles produced films less
effective against Escherichia coli compared to Staphylococcus aureus, and their antimicrobial activity was
reduced at high concentrations probably due to agglomeration.