Effect of heat and transglutaminase on solubility of goat milk protein‐based films

The effect of heat, transglutaminase and combination of heat and transglutaminase treatments on the solubility of films prepared from goat milk casein, goat milk whey proteins and whole goat milk proteins was investigated. Goat milk casein films were less soluble when treated with transglutaminase and combination of heat with transglutaminase compare with heat‐treated caseins alone. Heat treatment was more effective at decreasing the solubility of whey protein films. SDS‐PAGE patterns demonstrated that goat milk caseins were better cross‐linked by transglutaminase, whereas whey proteins were better cross‐linked by heat. The extent of cross‐linking was further enhanced when a combination of heat and transglutaminase was used.     

Water Solubility, Mechanical, Barrier, and Thermal Properties of Cross-linked Whey Protein Isolate-based Films

Water solubility, hermal properties, tensile strength, percent elongation, oxygen permeability (OP), water‐vapor permeability (WVP) of cross‐linked glycerol plasticized whey protein isolate films were studied to determine the effect of cross‐linkers (glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, dialdehyde starch, carbonyldiimidazole, and UV irradiation) on film properties. With the exception of UV treatment, solubility of the films decreased (P>0.05) upon treatment of the film‐forming solutions with chemical cross‐linkers. Tensile strength increased (P>0.05), whereas percent elongation was not affected by cross‐linking. Chemical cross‐linking increased (P>0.05) WVP and decreased (P>0.05) OP of the films. UV treatment had no effect on WVP and O P. With the exception of UV‐treated films, both onset temperature and degradation temperatures, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry, were increased upon cross‐linking.     

Evaluation of mechanical and water barrier properties of transglutaminase cross‐linked zein films incorporated with oleic acid

In this study, four concentrations of transglutaminase were used in zein films incorporated with four oleic acid concentrations, and subsequently, the mechanical and water barrier properties were evaluated. Enzyme concentration significantly affected mechanical and barrier properties of the films. Transglutaminase concentration at 1% improved tensile strength of control sample from 17.5 to 26.9 MPa while solubility decreased from 6.4% to 4.4%. Incorporation of oleic acid into transglutaminase‐treated zein films irrespective of enzyme concentration decreased water vapour permeability and solubility with the 1% transglutaminase‐treated zein films incorporated with 3% oleic acid registering the lowest permeability (0.37 g mm m^?2 h^?1 kPa^?1) and solubility (2.8%) values while elongation at break was not significantly improved. The use of transglutaminase at 1% concentration in cross‐linking zein films coupled with incorporation of controlled concentrations of oleic acid can be an effective approach in improving mechanical and water barrier properties of zein‐based films.     

Physical, Morphological, and Barrier Properties of Edible Casein Films with Wax Applications

ABSTRACT:  The overall research objective was to investigate the effects of wax application to casein films on the physical, morphological, mechanical, and water barrier properties of the films. Casein films were prepared by cross-linking with zein hydrolysate using transglutaminase. Wax was either incorporated into the film-forming solution or coated onto the casein films. The physical, morphological, and mechanical properties of wax-incorporated or wax-coated casein films were characterized. The wax-casein films exhibited darker color than casein film, and the film thickness ranged from 0.2 to 0.4 mm. Wax application significantly decreased the tensile strengths and Young's Modulus of casein films. The wax-incorporated films exhibited a greater reduction in tensile strength and Young's Modulus than the wax-coated films. The microstructures of wax-casein films were relatively smooth and uniform when observed under a scanning electron microscope. Wax applications significantly decreased the water vapor permeability (WVP) of the casein films, and the wax-coated casein films exhibited a greater decrease in WVP than the wax-incorporated films.     

Rye secalin characterisation and use to improve zein-based film performance

Rye prolamins (secalin) were extracted, characterised and used as biopolymer source to produce plasticised films, as well as composite films in the presence of corn zein. Secalin film showed lower contact angle values and higher moisture content, solubility and swelling index than zein film, whereas the water vapour permeability of the two films was not different. Also, secalin film exhibited lower tensile strength and Young’s modulus and higher elongation at break. The average functional properties of the secalin/zein blend were morphologically confirmed by SEM analysis of the composite film surface that showed a good miscibility and compatibility of the two different biopolymers. These results indicated that secalin films were less hydrophobic and more flexible than those previously prepared by using other prolamins, whereas a material with hydrophobic features similar to those of zein films and a flexibility comparable to that exhibited by secalin films was obtained by preparing a secalin/zein blend.     

Characterisation of composite edible films based on wheat starch and whey‐protein isolate

Composite films prepared by casting wheat starch and whey‐protein isolate at proportions of 100–0%, 75–25%, 50–50%, 25–75% and 0–100% were characterised. Combination of both substances gave continuous and homogeneous films. The more the starch is in a film, the more dull is the appearance. The highest water adsorption was observed for pure whey‐protein films and the lowest for pure wheat starch films with the final water content of 0.264 and 0.324 g water g d.m.^?1, respectively. An exponential equation well fitted the experimental data of water vapour kinetics (R² ≥ 0.99). The highest values of thickness and elongation at break were observed for films obtained by blending of wheat starch and whey protein. With the increasing content of whey‐protein isolate, the values of the swelling index and tensile strength increased from 34.31% to 71.01% and from 2.29 to 8.90 MPa, respectively. The values of water vapour permeability depended on humidity conditions and decreased slightly with the increasing content of whey‐protein isolate.     

Water Vapor Permeability and Solubility of Films from Hydrolyzed Whey Protein

ABSTRACT: The effects of whey protein hydrolysis on film water vapor permeability (WVP) and solubility at 3 plasticizer levels were studied. Little or no significant difference (p > 0.05) appeared for film WVP between unhydrolyzed whey protein isolate (WPI), 5.5% degree of hydrolysis (DH) WPI and 10% DH WPI films at comparable plasticizer contents. However, increase in glycerol (gly) content significantly increased film WVP. Thus, reduction in WPI molecular weight (MW) through hydrolysis may be a better approach to improving film flexibility than addition of plasticizer. Both 5.5% and 10% DH WPI had significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) film solubility compared to unhydrolyzed WPI. Soluble Protein (SP) and total soluble matter (TSM) of hydrolyzed WPI films were much higher than for unhydrolyzed WPI films.     

Improved microstructure and properties of the gelatin film produced through prior cross‐linking induced by horseradish peroxidase,glucose oxidase and glucose

The effects of prior enzymatic cross‐linking of bovine gelatin via horseradish peroxidase, glucose oxidase and glucose on microstructure and properties of the target film (cross‐linked gelatin film) were assessed. The cross‐linked gelatin film exhibited similar film thickness and moisture content, lower water solubility and higher opacity than the gelatin film directly prepared with bovine gelatin. The cross‐linked gelatin film also demonstrated improved thermal stability and mechanical properties, characterised by higher melting point and glass transition temperature, enhanced tensile strength and elongation at break and greater storage modulus. Prior gelatin cross‐linking resulted in 30.2% and 68.6% reductions in water vapour and CO₂ permeability of the cross‐linked gelatin film, respectively, but did not affect oil permeability. Furthermore, the cross‐linked gelatin film possessed smaller cross‐sectional voids (diameter 100?360 nm vs. 200?595 nm) than the bovine gelatin film. This study shows that cross‐linking can efficiently improve film microstructure and properties of the gelatin‐like products.     

Edible films produced with gelatin and casein cross-linked with transglutaminase

In this study, transglutaminase was used to produce cross-linked casein, gelatin and casein–gelatin blend (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100) edible films. Cross-linking was investigated by SDS–PAGE. Mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of the films were characterized using ASTM procedures, and the film morphology was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. The casein–gelatin film showed significant greater elongation values (P < 0.05) with or without transglutaminase treatment, as compared to films made from gelatin or casein alone. Mixtures of casein and gelatin produced a synergistic effect only observed in the film elongation, while no improvement was detected for tensile strength and water vapor barrier properties, except for the casein:gelatin (75:25) formulation with transglutaminase, which showed the lowest water vapor permeability value (5.06 ± 0.31 g mm/m² d kPa). Enzymatic cross-linking also induced a substantial increase in the high molecular weight protein components in the film forming solutions.     

Improvement on Physical Properties of Pullulan Films by Novel Cross‐Linking Strategy

Pullulan based films possess several advantages, including high transparency, low toxicity, good biodegradability, good mechanical properties, and low oxygen permeability, are preferable for food packaging. The application of pullulan films on food packaging, however, has inherent disadvantage of high water solubility. In this study, glutaraldehyde and glycerol were used as the cross‐linking reagent and the plasticizer respectively to improve water resistance and physical properties of the pullulan films. Effects of cross‐linking degree on physical properties, including water absorptions, swelling behaviors, water vapor permeability and tensile strengths of films were evaluated. FTIR results demonstrated that the pullulan films were successfully cross‐linked by glutaraldehyde. The tensile strength of pullulan films could be enhanced significantly (P < 0.05) when glutaraldehyde was between 1% and 5% (w/w); nevertheless, the amount of glutaraldehyde above 20% (w/w) led to films brittleness. With the addition of glycerol as a plasticizer enhanced the extensibility of films as well as the hydrophilicity, resulting in higher water vapor permeability.     

Effect of freezing on physical properties of whey protein emulsion films

The objective of this work was to study the effect of the freezing process on physical properties of whey protein emulsion films with different beeswax content dried at 5 °C. Thickness, microstructure, water vapour permeability, solubility in water, sorption isotherms and mechanical properties were measured in Control and Frozen films. The freezing process did not cause fractures or perforations in films, but films with beeswax showed a change in the appearance of the lipids after freezing. Only films with 40% of beeswax showed a significant increase in the water vapour permeability after freezing. The freezing process did not affect film solubility in water but produced small differences in the equilibrium moisture content values. In the puncture test, the freezing process increased puncture strength and deformation of films without beeswax but those parameters were not affected in films with beeswax. In tensile test, tensile strength and elastic modulus decreased, but elongation was not affected by freezing process. Principal component analysis accomplished an adequate condensation of the date grouping samples according to film formulation and treatment (Control and Frozen films). Indeed, the relationships of sample grouping and measured parameters were enlightened by principal component analysis. In conclusion, whey protein emulsion films were resistant to the freezing process (freezing, frozen storage and thawing) and could be a good alternative as a treatment to preserve the quality of frozen foods.     

Zinc‐loaded whey protein nanoparticles prepared by enzymatic cross‐linking and desolvation

Zinc‐loaded whey protein nanoparticles were prepared by enzymatic cross‐linking whey protein followed by ethanol desolvation. Whey protein isolate (WPI) was denatured by heating (80 °C for 15 min) at pH 7.0 and then cross‐linked by transglutaminase at 50 °C for 4 h while stirring. Transglutaminase was inactivated by heating at 90 °C for 10 min, and then, ZnSO₄·7H₂O (1–10 mm ) was added. Zinc‐loaded whey protein nanoparticles were formed by adding ethanol at one to five times the volume of the protein solution at pH 9.0. The desolvated solutions were diluted by adding distilled water at ratio of 1:100 (w/v) immediately after desolvation. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) data showed that the particle size of zinc‐loaded whey protein nanoparticles increased with the amount of zinc and the volume of ethanol. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs revealed an almost spherical morphology for zinc‐loaded whey protein nanoparticles. The zinc loading efficiency was determined ranging from 76.7% to 99.2%. In vitro test data showed that the zinc release rate was low in simulated gastric fluid but high in simulated intestinal fluid. The results indicated that enzymatic cross‐linked whey protein nanoparticles may be used as a good vehicle to deliver zinc as a supplement.     

Antifungal,Mechanical, and Physical Properties of Edible Film Containing Williopsis saturnus var. saturnus Antagonistic Yeast

The molding of food products causing health risks is a main problem in the food industry. In this study, as an alternative solution for preventing mold growth, an antifungal edible film was developed by incorporating Williopsis saturnus var. saturnus (0; 3; 7; and 9 logs CFU/cm²) into whey protein concentrate (WPC) based films. Antifungal properties of the films against Penicilium expansum and Aspergillus niger were analyzed using the disc diffusion method. Physical (barrier, solubility, color), mechanical (tensile strength and percent elongation) properties of the films as well as the survival of W. saturnus in the film were assessed during 28 days of storage at 23 °C. According to the results, the viability of W. saturnus (7 and 9 logs CFU/cm²) in WPC films stored for 28 days under vacuum or non‐vacuum decreased to 36% and 60%, respectively. In addition, films containing W. saturnus decreased the viability of P. expansum and A. niger by 29% and 19%, respectively. Adding yeast did not change the tensile strength (P > 0.05), but significantly decreased % elongation and increased water vapor and oxygen permeability and water solubility (P < 0.05). In conclusion, this study showed that the developed films may be useful for inhibiting mold growth on foods.     

Development of nanocomposite biodegradable film containing iron nanoparticles biosynthesised by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The use of nanoparticles in biodegradable films has been shown to improve their characteristics in food packaging. The study was designed to investigate the effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and lysed yeast cells residue (YSR) on the properties of whey protein concentrate (WPC) films. IONPs (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mm ) biosynthesised by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and YSR were used to prepare WPC films. The addition of IONPs and YSR increased the tensile strength (TS) of the films by approximately 2.6 MPa compared with the control films (P < 0.05). Percent elongation and water vapour permeability of the films decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by the contribution of IONPs. All the films did not inhibit the growth of tested microorganisms. The incorporation of YSR in the film also did not make a significant change in any properties of the film (P > 0.05). The results indicated the usefulness of IONPs incorporation into WPC films to enhance mechanical but not antimicrobial properties.     

TG酶和羟丙基甲基纤维素改善乳清蛋白可食膜性能

以乳清浓缩蛋白(WPC)为基料,通过添加羟丙基甲基纤维素(HPMC,添加量为蛋白质量的5%~25%)和转谷氨酰胺酶(TG酶)对膜的性能进行改良,研究HPMC的添加量和转谷氨酰胺酶的交联作用对复合膜性能的影响。结果表明:HPMC能显著提高蛋白膜的抗拉强度,降低复合膜的断裂伸长率(p<0.05),TG酶能有效改善乳清蛋白-羟丙基甲基纤维素复合膜的柔韧性。当HPMC的添加量为乳清蛋白的20%时,复合膜的抗拉强度较好,表观光滑平整。制备WPC-HPMC复合膜进行奶茶粉、方便面调料包、油包,苏打饼干的初步包装实验,研究了包装产品在储藏12 d期间质量变化情况。结论:乳清蛋白-羟丙基甲基纤维素复合膜具有一定包装应用潜能。     

Physical Properties of Whey Protein–Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose Blend Edible Films

ABSTRACT: The formations of glycerol (Gly)‐plasticized whey protein isolate (WPI)–hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) films, blended using different combinations and at different conditions, were investigated. The resulting WPI: Gly‐HPMC films were analyzed for mechanical properties, oxygen permeability (OP), and water solubility. Differences due to HPMC quantity and blend method were determined via SAS software. While WPI: Gly and HPMC films were transparent, blend films were translucent, indicating some degree of immiscibility and/or WPI–HPMC aggregated domains in the blend films. WPI: Gly‐HPMC films were stronger than WPI: Gly films and more flexible and stretchable than HPMC films, with films becoming stiffer, stronger, and less stretchable as the concentration of HPMC increased. However, WPI: Gly‐HPMC blended films maintained the same low OP of WPI: Gly films, significantly lower than the OP of HPMC films. Comparison of mechanical properties and OP of films made by heat‐denaturing WPI before and after blending with HPMC did not indicate any difference in degree of cross‐linking between the methods, while solubility data indicated otherwise. Overall, while adding HPMC to WPI: Gly films had a large effect on the flexibility, strength, stretchability, and water solubility of the film polymeric network, results indicated that HPMC had no effect on OP through the polymer network. WPI–HPMC blend films had a desirable combination of mechanical and oxygen barrier properties, reflecting the combination of hydrogen‐bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and disulfide bond cross‐linking in the blended polymer network.     

Use of a Mathematical Model to Describe the Barrier Properties of Edible Films

ABSTRACT: A study on the influence of the solubilization and diffusion process on the barrier properties of 4 different edible films is presented. The water and oxygen barrier properties of zein, alginate, casein, and chitosan films were measured at 25°C. A mathematical model was fitted to the experimental data to obtain quantitative information on both solubilization and diffusion process. Results suggest that alginate film, which shows the highest water and oxygen permeability coefficient, has both higher affinity with water and a higher macromolecular mobility than the other 3 films. The lowest water and oxygen permeability coefficient was detected for chitosan and zein films. The casein film has shown an intermediate behavior.     

Functional properties and antioxidative activity of protein hydrolysates from toothed ponyfish muscle treated with viscera extract from hybrid catfish

Functional properties and antioxidative activity of a protein hydrolysate prepared from toothed ponyfish (Gazza minuta) muscle, using viscera extract from hybrid catfish (Clarias macrocephalus × Clarias gariepinus), with a degree of hydrolysis (DH) of 70%, were investigated. The protein hydrolysate had a good solubility. It was soluble over a wide pH range (3–9), in which more than 77% solubility was obtained. The emulsifying activity index of the protein hydrolysate decreased with increasing concentration (P < 0.05). Conversely, the foaming abilities increased as the hydrolysate concentrations increased (P < 0.05). Protein hydrolysate exhibited the increases in 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities, ferric reducing power (FRAP) and metal chelating activity as hydrolysate concentration increased (P < 0.05). ABTS radical scavenging activity of protein hydrolysate was stable when heated at 100 °C for 180 min and subjected to a wide pH range (1–11). Therefore, protein hydrolysate from the muscle of toothed ponyfish produced by viscera extract from hybrid catfish can be used as a promising source of functional peptides with antioxidant properties.     

Ussing chamber results for amino acid absorption of protein hydrolysates in porcine jejunum must be corrected for endogenous protein

BACKGROUND: Ussing chambers have been used extensively as an ex vivo model to investigate intestinal nutrient absorption. In this study Ussing chambers were used to investigate the absorption of amino acids and peptides in pig jejunal tissue using a highly hydrolysed casein hydrolysate (PeptoPro®), casein and whey protein isolate after they had been digested with pepsin and pancreatin to simulate digestion products in the jejunum. Jejunal tissue was collected from three pigs and mounted into Ussing chambers, equilibrated, and the luminal chamber loaded with one of three test nitrogen sources. Luminal solution samples were taken every 10 min over a 90 min incubation period and the amino acid concentration determined. To determine the endogenous amino acid contribution of the tissue to the luminal solution, Ussing chambers containing no test N source (blanks) were prepared and treated similarly to the Ussing chambers containing the test N sources. RESULTS: The endogenous amino acid contribution was 0.5 mg in the luminal solution at time 0 and increased to 1 mg after 90 min. The mean amino acid absorption after 10 min incubation for the pre‐digested highly hydrolysed casein hydrolysate (16.6%) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than for the pre‐digested casein (7.6%) and whey protein isolate (6.7%). CONCLUSION: Endogenous amino acids were a quantitatively significant portion of the luminal solution amino acids present in the Ussing chambers containing the test N sources. Ussing chambers may be a suitable tool for studying amino acid absorption of protein hydrolysates but correction for the endogenous amino acid contribution from the intestinal tissue must be made. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry