New algorithm for the elucidation of functional properties of gelatin-based materials

•Gelatin-based renewable and biodegradable materials were developed.•Novel materials were designed using L-fuzzy concepts.•Fatty food packaging and wound healing applications were studied.•Optimal formulation for the different requirements was estimated.•The new methodology used gives rise to a valid estimation saving important costs. In the present work, fish gelatin was employed to develop renewable and biodegradable materials, reducing environmental problems associated with conventional petroleum-based materials. Glycerol was used as plasticizer and gallic acid was added in order to enhance the functional properties of the material. L-fuzzy concept analysis was applied for modelling the formulations and properties of the films. These new methodology is used in the design of the material avoiding the traditional inefficient trial an error approach usually employed. Two applications of the developed bio-based material were analyzed: fatty food packaging application in food area and wound healing in the biomedical field. The functional properties requirements of water contact angle (CA), water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), colour L* and b* values, tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EB) and gloss values were specified for both applications. Applying the proposed algorithm, the required formulations were estimated and the experimental results showed a high accordance with the predicted values of the final properties, as well as with the requirements. This analysis allowed finding the required formulations in a highly cost-effective way.