Liquid-tight and gas-permeable chitosan-based membrane

DESCRIPTION

• A membrane made of thin chitosan film (<130nm):
  - Supported on paper sheet
  - Suitable for thin coating (<200nm) with hydrophobic compounds such as honeybee wax, polystyrene or Paraplast
  - Having a total thickness of less than 1µM
  - Storable for 1 month
• Functionalities including:
  - Gas-permeability: diffusion of volatile compounds throughout the membrane (such as attractive kairomones)
  - Liquid-impermeability even on recurrent perforation: maintains outer surface dry (mandatory for mites breeding) while keeping sterile a liquid under the inner surface
• Successfully tested for breeding of varroa (Exp. Appl. Acarol. (2013), 61, 107-118)

APPLICATIONS

• Feeding of arthropods, parasites and pests, especially with small perforating apparatus (varroa, etc.)