Microbial transglutaminase was employed as catalyst for preparing chitosan-ovalbumin films. The films showed low solubility at a wide range of pH and underwent to a good enzymatic hydrolysis with trypsin. The degree of swelling was reduced and the mechanical resistance of the chitosan-ovalbumin films increased from 24 to 35 MPa after enzymatic treatment with transglutaminase. The barrier efficiency toward water vapour was slightly improved for the films prepared by transglutaminase-mediated cross-linking. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Inc.