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.     

Liquid and vapour water transfer through whey protein/lipid emulsion films

BACKGROUND: Edible films and coatings based on protein/lipid combinations are among the new products being developed in order to reduce the use of plastic packaging polymers for food applications. This study was conducted to determine the effect of rapeseed oil on selected physicochemical properties of cast whey protein films. RESULTS: Films were cast from heated (80 °C for 30 min) aqueous solutions of whey protein isolate (WPI, 100 g kg^?1 of water) containing glycerol (50 g kg^?1 of WPI) as a plasticiser and different levels of added rapeseed oil (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4% w/w of WPI). Measurements of film microstructure, laser light‐scattering granulometry, differential scanning calorimetry, wetting properties and water vapour permeability (WVP) were made. The emulsion structure in the film suspension changed significantly during drying, with oil creaming and coalescence occurring. Increasing oil concentration led to a 2.5‐fold increase in surface hydrophobicity and decreases in WVP and denaturation temperature (T_max). CONCLUSION: Film structure and surface properties explain the moisture absorption and film swelling as a function of moisture level and time and consequently the WVP behaviour. Small amounts of rapeseed oil favourably affect the WVP of WPI films, particularly at higher humidities. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Tensile and moisture barrier properties of whey protein–beeswax layered composite films

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of research on producing layered protein–lipid composite films with improved tensile and barrier properties compared to films from individual components. Several film‐forming parameters were hypothesized to influence the extent to which lipids were either dispersed within or layered upon whey protein films. Film‐forming parameters investigated were ratio of whey protein isolate (WPI) to beeswax (BW), homogenization method, sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration, and BW particle size. RESULTS: Film percent elongation (E) increased, while tensile strength (TS) and elastic modulus (EM) decreased when BW was incorporated into WPI films, demonstrating a lubricant effect of the BW. Mean water vapor permeability values for WPI film decreased by 57% when the film composition was modified by the addition of 40% BW. BW phase separation was observed in all of the tested films. Particle size of BW in the film‐forming emulsions was larger in the presence of NaCl (100 mmol L^?1), indicating a neutralization of particle charge. However, the addition of NaCl did not improve the moisture barrier of WPI‐BW film over the range of film‐forming conditions used in the study. CONCLUSION: The results from this study are useful in determining formulations and conditions for the production of composite films from WPI and BW with improved tensile and moisture barrier properties. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Water Vapor Permeability of Whey Protein Emulsion Films as Affected by pH

The water vapor permeability (WVP) of whey protein isolate-beeswax emulsion films was investigated as related to pH. Lower WVP was observed for films cast from solutions at pH 7.0. When pH of the film-forming solution was lowered, resulting film WVP increased. At the isoelectric point, WVP was the highest. As pH of the emulsion approached pI, a sharp change in viscosity occurred due to an increase in protein aggregation. This increase in viscosity probably lowered lipid mobility and reduced interconnectivity among lipid droplets, resulting in the higher WVP. For minimum WVP, such films should be applied at pH different from pI.     

Whey Protein Emulsion Film Performance as Affected by Lipid Type and Amount

Beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, and a high-melting fraction of anhydrous milkfat were homogenized with whey protein to produce edible emulsion films. Lipid type and amount were important in controlling the emulsion film water vapor permeability (WVP). The WVPs of the beeswax and milkfat emulsion films were significantly lower than that of films from lower moisture transmitters, carnauba and candelilla wax. Lipid WVP and degree of viscoelasticity determined the barrier properties of the films. A significant reduction in WVP of whey protein films could be achieved using large volume fractions of lipid depending on lipid type.     

Whey protein-okra polysaccharide fraction blend edible films: tensile properties, water vapor permeability and oxygen permeability

BACKGROUND: A hot‐buffer‐soluble‐solid fraction (HBSS) and an alkaline‐soluble‐solid fraction (ASS) of okra polysaccharides (OKP) were obtained using sequential extraction. These fractions were combined with whey protein isolate (WPI) and glycerol (Gly) plasticizer to form blend edible films. Effects of OKP fraction and content on tensile properties, water vapor permeability (WVP) and oxygen permeability (OP) were determined. RESULTS: HBSS film had significantly higher percent elongation (%E) and lower elastic modulus (EM), WVP and OP than ASS film. Increasing HBSS or ASS content in blend films with WPI significantly reduced film tensile strength and EM and increased film %E and WVP. OP values for WPI–HBSS blend films were significantly lower than OP for WPI or HBSS film. WPI–HBSS and WPI–ASS blend films had lower WVP and OP than WPI films with equivalent tensile properties. CONCLUSIONS: WPI–HBSS blend films have higher WVP and lower OP than WPI film or HBSS film, indicating unique interactions between WPI and HBSS. Compared to WPI film, WPI–HBSS blend films have improved flexibility, stretchability and oxygen barrier. Different HBSS and ASS compositions and structures are responsible for property differences between HBSS and ASS films and between WPI–HBSS and WPI–ASS blend films. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Whey protein isolate-based edible films as affected by protein concentration,glycerol ratio and pullulan addition in film formation

Edible films were prepared from whey protein isolate (WPI), and characterized in order to select a best combination of protein concentration and glycerol (Gly) ratio. 5%, 7% and 9% (w/v) WPI were used at three WPI:Gly ratios (3.6:1; 3:1; and 2:1). 5% WPI with a 3.6:1 WPI:Gly ratio showed the best combination with factors considered being thickness and water vapor permeability (WVP), while the 9% WPI with 3.6:1 WPI:Gly showed the best result as seen from the oxygen permeability (OP). Further studies were conducted by adding pullulan (PUL) at different WPI:PUL ratios (1:0; 1:1; 2:1; 3:1; 4:1; 5:1; 6:1; 8:1; 10:1) to a selected film in order to investigate the effect of pullulan on thickness, OP, WVP, moisture content (MC), film solubility (FS) and morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). WPI–PUL film had a good appearance and 1:1 WPI:PUL resulted in films with greatest values of OP, WVP, MC, FS, and transmittance. The SEM micrographs showed many pinholes and a favorable structure for the low barrier ability. However, addition of PUL at low concentration was good enough to significantly modify these properties, hence improving the potential characteristics of WPI-based films for food applications.     

3种蛋白膜包裹对核桃仁脂质过氧化作用的比较研究

对于大豆蛋白、蛋清蛋白和乳清蛋白的成膜性及其膜特性研究已有一些报道,但对于这3种蛋白膜特性的分析和比较则未见报道。在3种蛋白最佳成膜条件下分别制备大豆蛋白膜、蛋清蛋白膜和乳清蛋白膜,分析比较其水蒸气透过率,来考察其膜特性;观察3种蛋白膜包裹对核桃仁在贮藏条件下的酸价、过氧化值和TBA值等的影响,来考察其对核桃仁脂质过氧化的影响。结果表明,在与大豆蛋白和蛋清蛋白相同蛋白浓度下,乳清蛋白需要较高甘油浓度才具有较好的成膜性,这使得乳清蛋白膜具有较高的水蒸气透过率。在贮藏过程中,核桃仁的酸价、过氧化值和TBA值均上升。但应用3种蛋白膜包裹均可使核桃仁的酸价显著降低,可降低约24.9%,3种蛋白膜包裹的核桃仁的酸价之间没有明显差异;3种蛋白膜包裹均可使核桃仁的过氧化值显著降低,其降低的程度依次为:大豆蛋白膜>蛋清蛋白膜>乳清蛋白膜,且3种蛋白膜包裹之间有明显差异;3种蛋白膜包裹均可使核桃仁的TBA值显著降低,其降低的程度依次为:大豆蛋白膜>蛋清蛋白膜>乳清蛋白膜,且3种蛋白膜包裹之间有明显差异。由上述结果可见,3种蛋白均能延缓核桃仁的脂质过氧化,其中效果最好的是大豆蛋白,其次是蛋清蛋白,最后是乳清蛋白。     

Effect of pH and addition of corn oil on the properties of whey protein isolate-based films using response surface methodology

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate pH and corn oil (CO) effects on the properties of films formed from whey protein isolate (WPI). Test films were evaluated for tensile strength (TS), puncture strength (PT), percentage elongation at break point (E), water vapour permeability (WVP) and oxygen permeability (OP). TS of WPI films increased with increasing pH, while addition of CO produced no trend. However, when WPI solution pH increased >10.0, film TS generally decreased with CO addition (>11%). E values increased dramatically with increasing levels of CO when pH for WPI solutions were >8.5. However, pH had no effect on E values. WPI solutions possessing high pH values (maximum pH value of 10.62) produced WPI films with the highest PT values. WVP had a quadratic relationship with pH and CO addition. OP had an inversely linear relationship with increasing pH (6.5–10.5) and a quadratic relationship with CO addition. Optimal pH (9.88) and CO level (2.93%), determined from physical test film data, were predicted by RSM.     

Plasticized Whey Protein Edible Films: Water Vapor Permeability Properties

Heat treatment, protein concentration, and pH effects on water vapor permeability (WVP) of plasticized whey protein films were examined. The best film formation conditions were neutral pH, aqueous 10% (w/w) protein solutions heated for 30 min at 90°. Isoelectric point adjustment of whey protein with calcium ascorbate buffer increased WVP with increasing buffer concentration, The importance of vacuum application to minimize film pore size was identified using scanning electron microscopy. Polyethylene glycol, glycerol and sorbitol plasticizer concentration affected film WVP. Determining the effects of relative humidity on WVP for plasticized whey protein films enabled prediction of film behavior under any water vapor partial pressure gradient.     

Characterization of edible coatings consisting of pea starch, whey protein isolate, and Carnauba wax and their effects on oil rancidity and sensory properties of walnuts and pine nuts

Edible coatings made of whey protein isolate (WPI), pea starch (PS), and their combinations with carnauba wax (CW) were prepared and characterized. WPI combined with CW formed stable emulsion while PS with CW formed unstable emulsion and both formulations produced non-homogeneous films. Addition of PS to WPI: CW combination at the ratio of 1:1:1, respectively, resulted in stable emulsion and homogenous films. The emulsion PS: WPI: CW (1:1:2) was stable and formed a continuous film but had less homogenous droplets size distribution when compared to 1:1:1 film. Combined films had a reduced tensile strength and elongation compared to single component films. WPI : CW (1:1) films had higher elastic modulus than the WPI films, but the modulus reduced by the addition of PS. All the coating formulations were effective in preventing oxidative and hydrolytic rancidity of walnuts and pine nuts stored at 25 °C throughout the storage (12 d) but were less effective at 50 °C. Increasing the concentration of CW from 1:1:1 to 1:1:2 in PS: WPI: CW formulation did not contribute in further prevention of oil rancidity at 25 °C. Using of PS: WPI: CW (1:1:1) coating on both nuts significantly (P < 0.05) improved their smoothness and taste but the PS: WPI: CW (1:1:2) coatings imparted unacceptable yellowish color on walnuts. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Edible coating of walnuts and pine nuts by whey protein isolate, pea starch, and carnauba wax reduced the oxidative and hydrolytic rancidity of the nuts and improved sensory characteristics.     

Iron-Catalyzed Oxidation of Menhaden Oil as Affected by Emulsifiers

The ability of Tween 20 and whey protein isolate (WPI) to influence lipid oxidation was investigated by evaluating the effects of emulsifier concentration and physical location on iron-catalyzed oxidation of emulsified Menhaden oil. Addition of Tween 20 or WPI to the aqueous phase of a 0.5 wt% Tween 20 stabilized emulsion increased lipid oxidation as determined by both thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid peroxides. Tween 20 (2.0 wt%) and WPI (0.05–1.0 wt%) combinations inhibited TBARS formation 23–60%. Oxidation of a WPI-stabilized emulsion decreased with decreasing pH (3–7) but in a Tween 20 stabilized emulsion oxidation increased with decreasing pH. The low oxidation rate for the WPI-stabilized emulsion at pH 3 was increased when Tween 20 displaced WPI from the droplet interface. Results indicate that the oxidative stability of emulsifed Menhaden oil could be increased by controlling emulsifier type, location and concentration.     

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Pea-Protein-based Edible Films

ABSTRACT: Edible films produced from denatured pea protein concentrate (PPC) solution possessed the strength and elasticity to resist handling. Increasing the concentration of the plasticizer (glycerol) in the film decreased tensile strength and elastic modulus, and increased elongation and water vapor permeability (WVP). Very strong and stretch-able films were obtained from 70/30 and 60/40 of PPC/glycerol composition, respectively. The low WVP value was maintained over a range of glycerol concentration from 20% to 40%, in the dry film. Film solubility was not affected significantly by the amount of the plasticizer. The physical and mechanical properties of the PPC films were comparable with those of soy protein and whey protein films.     

Water Vapor Permeability, Solubility, and Tensile Properties of Heat-denatured versus Native Whey Protein Films

Whereas native whey protein films were totally water soluble, heat denatured films were insoluble. Heat-denatured whey protein films had higher tensile properties than native whey protein films. However, native and heat-denatured films had similar water vapor permeability (WVP). The pH of the film-forming solution did not have any notable effect on film solubility, mechanical properties, or WVP. Results suggest that covalent cross-linking due to heat denaturation of the whey protein is accountable for film water insolubility and higher tensile properties but does not affect WVP of the films.     

Influence of the homogenization conditions and lipid self-association on properties of sodium caseinate based films containing oleic and stearic acids

The effect of the homogenization conditions of the film-forming emulsions and lipid self-association on the physical properties of sodium caseinate films containing oleic and stearic acids was studied. For this purpose, different film-forming emulsions were prepared by using different homogenization methods and were characterized as to particle size distribution and rheological properties. Likewise, mechanical, structural and optical properties and water vapour permeability (WVP) of the obtained films were also determined. While films containing stearic acid showed a laminar-like structure, oleic acid was more homogeneously dispersed in the film matrix. These differences in structure make the stearic acid films less flexible, showing more surface roughness and less gloss and transparency than films containing oleic acid. The film microstructure also affects the WVP. In this sense, for oleic acid films, water barrier efficiency increased when homogenization conditions were more intense, whereas for films containing stearic acid, the opposite effect was observed. This different behavior was attributed to the different kind of lipid self-association in the aqueous media, protein interactions and their impact on the final film microstructure.     

Influence of Whey Protein Composite Coatings on Plum (Prunus Domestica L.) Fruit Quality

This study evaluated the quality of plums (Prunus domestica L.) coated with whey protein isolate (WPI) and WPI composite coatings containing 5 or 10% (w/w) flaxseed oil blended with beeswax. WPI and 10% lipid composite coatings were less susceptible to crack, flake, and blister defects during the 15 days storage at 5°C compared to the 5% lipid formulation. The firmness of plums, determined by the penetration force using a 10-mm probe, was not significantly affected by the coating types except for the WPI-coated samples, which showed a significantly higher penetration force because of the higher strength for WPI film. Mass loss of plums during storage was substantially reduced because of coating, especially when coatings of higher lipid content were used. This was consistent with the water permeability for the standalone films, which decreased considerably when flaxseed and beeswax were added. The incorporation of lipid phase to WPI also significantly weakened oxygen barrier and mechanical properties. Migration of plasticizer and lipid phase to the film surface was observed during water vapor permeability tests, especially when the films were exposed to elevated humidity conditions. Overall, sensory evaluation showed that the coated plums were more acceptable than the uncoated controls.     

乳清浓缩蛋白可食用膜成膜工艺的研究

研究了乳清浓缩蛋白可食用膜的成膜工艺,分析了蛋白质浓度、甘油浓度和加热温度对可食用膜透水性和透氧性的影响,并确定了可食用膜阻隔性能的优化工艺参数。研究结果表明,可食用膜的阻水性随蛋白质浓度和甘油浓度的增大而下降,阻氧性随甘油浓度增大而下降。加热温度为70℃时,膜的阻水性和阻氧性达到最佳。响应面分析表明,当蛋白质浓度为100 g/L,甘油浓度为27 g/L,加热温度为69℃时,乳清浓缩蛋白可食用膜的综合通透性能为最佳,其透湿系数为0.004 35 g·mm/(m~2·h·kPa),透氧系数为0.134 cm~3·mm/(m~2·min·kPa)。     

Whey protein-polysaccharide blended edible film formation and barrier, tensile, thermal and transparency properties

BACKGROUND: Films made from different protein (P) or polysaccharide (PS) materials have widely different properties. The objective of this study was to determine whether whey protein isolate (WPI)‐PS blended films possess a combination of properties intermediate and possibly superior to WPI or PS film alone. RESULTS: Oxygen permeability (OP) and tensile strength (TS) for PS‐WPI blended films were intermediate between the OP and TS properties of pure methycellulose (MC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) or sodium alginate (SA) film and pure WPI film. Starch‐WPI blends gave the weakest films. Water vapor permeability values for all pure and blended films were similar. Blended films made of MC, HPMC or SA with WPI had lower transparency than pure MC, HPMC, SA or WPI films. Differential scanning calorimetry thermograms obtained from the blended films exhibited a single glass transition temperature (T_g) at an intermediate value between the T_g values of the pure films. CONCLUSIONS: Whether properties of PS‐WPI blended films are intermediate to properties of the pure PS and WPI film depends on the particular PS and specific property. In the case of MC or HPMC with WPI, the blended films reflect the higher TS of the PS and lower OP of the WPI. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Coalescence Index of Protein-Stabilized Emulsions

A simple method is proposed to estimate coalescence stability of protein-stabilized emulsions. Coalescence was accelerated through agitation and measured by change in emulsion turbidity over time. A coalescence index (CI) was determined and used to compare emulsions stabilized with casein, whey (WPI) and soy protein isolates (SPI). CI increased when stirring rate increased. Casein produced more stable emulsions, followed by WPI and SPI. High homogenization pressure increased coalescence stability of WPI and SPI-stabilized emulsions and decreased coalescence stability of casein-stabilized emulsions. Microscopic examination, showed agitation of the emulsion had clearly induced formation of large oil droplets which acted as coalescence nuclei.     

Physical properties of whey protein coating solutions and films containing antioxidants

ABSTRACT:  Antioxidants (ascorbyl palmitate and α-tocopherol) were incorporated into 10% (w/w) whey protein isolate (WPI) coating solution containing 6.67% (w/w) glycerol (WPI:glycerol = 6:4). Before incorporation, the antioxidants were mixed using either powder blending (Process 1) or ethanol solvent-mixing (Process 2). After the antioxidant mixtures were incorporated into heat-denatured WPI solution, viscosity and turbidity of the WPI solutions were determined. The WPI solutions were dried on a flat surface to produce WPI films. The WPI films were examined to determine transparency and oxygen-barrier properties (permeability, diffusivity, and solubility). WPI solution containing antioxidants produced by Process 1 and Process 2 did not show any difference in viscosity and turbidity, but viscosity was greater for the WPI solution with rather than without antioxidants. WPI films produced by Process 2 were more transparent than the films produced by Process 1. Oxygen permeability of Process 1 film was lower than Process 2 film. However, both the diffusivity and solubility of oxygen were statistically the same in Process 1 and Process 2 films. Both control WPI films and antioxidant-containing WPI films had very low oxygen solubility, comparable to polyethylene terephthalate films. Permeability of antioxidant-incorporated films was not enhanced compared to control WPI films.