Stability of the mechanical properties of edible films based on whey protein isolate during storage at different relative humidity

Formulations for whey protein isolate (WPI)-based films include low molecular weight plasticizers, which implies certain degree of instability of films properties due to plasticizer migration. The aim of this work was to study the effect of storage time on the mechanical properties of WPI films plasticized with two low molecular weight polyols: glycerol (Gly) and sorbitol (Sor). Films were stored inside cabins at 50% or 75% relative humidity (RH) and at room temperature. Mechanical properties and moisture content were measured at regular intervals for 30 weeks. The effect of plasticizer type and content and RH on mechanical properties right after equilibrium (1 week) was also included in this study.     

Water vapour permeability of edible bilayer films of wheat gluten and lipids

Various formulations and methods of fabricating edible bilayer films consisting of wheat gluten as a structural layer and a thin lipid layer as a moisture barrier were investigated and examined for water vapour permeability. Solid lipids such as beeswax or paraffin wax deposited in a molten state onto the base film were the most effective water vapour barriers. A film consisting of wheat gluten, glycerol and diacetyl tartaric ester of monoglyceride as one layer, and beeswax as the other yielded a water vapour permeability of 0.0048 g mm m⁻² mmHg⁻¹ 24h⁻¹, which was less than that obtained with low density polyethylene.     

Features and performance of edible films,obtained from whey protein isolate formulated with antimicrobial compounds

The goal of this research effort was to assess the efficacy of edible films produced from whey protein isolate (WPI) and glycerol, including incorporation of lactic acid (LA) and propionic acid (PRO), chitooligosaccharides with nominal MW of 3 kDa (COS) and natamycin (NA) as antimicrobial agents. Their features were evaluated in vitro via agar diffusion and viable cell counting, against spoilage microflora often found contaminating cheese surfaces. The effect of incorporating the aforementioned compounds upon thickness, moisture content (MC), solubility (S), density (ρ^s), water activity (a_w) and water vapor permeability (WVP), as well as upon tensile and optical properties of those films were also evaluated. Films formulated with LA, PRO or COS exhibited antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms tested, yet the viable cell count assay was more sensitive and reproducible. COS was the most active against Gram-negative bacteria, whereas LA was the most active against Gram-positive ones. NA was not active against bacteria, but displayed the strongest effect against yeasts. Incorporation of said antimicrobial compounds did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect film thickness, yet it significantly (p < 0.05) reduced tensile strength (TS). Incorporation of LA and NA in particular did not significantly (p < 0.05) affect MC, S, ρ^s, WVP, elongation at break (EB) and Young's modulus (YM) values; however, a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) of MC, S and WVP, together with a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) of ρ^s were attained upon incorporation of PRO or COS. Moreover, PRO produced the highest variation (p < 0.05) in EB, TS and YM, whereas COS produced the highest change (p < 0.05) in optical properties.     

Use of edible films based on whey protein isolate to protect foods rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids

Whey protein isolate (WPI) films acting as oxygen barriers can be used to delay lipid oxidation in foods with high content in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The aim of this work was to study as to what extent WPI films are capable of delaying lipid oxidation in vegetable oil, as an example of a food rich in PUFA. The effect of plasticizer type (glycerol or sorbitol) and content (30, 40, 50 and 60%), as well as film thickness (60, 100 and 180 μm) and relative humidity (50 or 75%) were analyzed. In order to evaluate the film protective capability, specially designed methacrylate cells and an accelerated test of oxidative rancidity were used. Results obtained showed that WPI films delayed the rancidity in vegetable oil. Films with sorbitol were more effective than films with glycerol, providing a protection as effective as aluminum foil. Both plasticizer content and film thickness affected its protective capacity significantly. The thickest films with the lowest plasticizer content provided the greatest protection against lipid oxidation. Plasticizer content affected film protection much more intensively than thickness. WPI films presented a more effective protection at 50% RH than at 75% RH.     

Influence of calcium on tensile, optical and water vapour permeability properties of sodium caseinate edible films

The influence of calcium on sodium caseinate edible films with and without lipid addition (oleic acid (OA)–beeswax (BW) mixtures) was investigated through the analysis of tensile, optical and water vapour barrier properties. Calcium was added by substitution of sodium caseinate by calcium caseinate. Calcium caseinate films have less transparency and more rigidity but they have lower water vapour permeability values than sodium caseinate films. The effect of substitution was different for films with and without lipids. Calcium caseinate increased tensile strength and decreased elongation of films, depending on the level of substitution and lipid presence. Among control films (without lipid), water vapour permeability was reduced when calcium caseinate was present, reaching values of 3.9 (±0.2) g mm kPa⁻¹ h⁻¹ m⁻². Nevertheless, in the films containing lipids, this reduction was inhibited when the level of sodium caseinate substitution exceeded 50%. Film transparency and gloss was reduced by calcium caseinate and lipid presence, although pure calcium caseinate films were glossier. When taking all the studied variables into account, the films prepared with 2:1 NaCas:CaCas ratio and 70:30 OA:BW ratio showed the most adequate properties.     

Effect of rice wax on water vapour permeability and sorption properties of edible pullulan films

Edible films were prepared using various ratios of pullulan and rice wax. Freestanding composite films were obtained with up to 46.4% rice wax. Water vapour barrier properties of the pullulan film were improved with increased addition of rice wax. Moisture sorption isotherms were also studied to examine the impact of rice wax on the water sorption characteristics of the film. The Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) and Guggenheim–Anderson–de Boer (GAB) sorption models were tested to fit the experimental data. The models gave a good fit up to the water activity (a_w) of 0.55 for BET and a full range of a_w from 0.12 to 0.95 for GAB (R² ? 0.98). Changes in the sorption parameters, particularly such as the decrease in monolayer moisture content (Mo), reflect the trend of reduced hydration capacity with increased addition of rice wax, providing useful information on water activity conditions to achieve stability for the composite films.     

超声辐射对大豆分离蛋白膜性能的影响

研究了超声辐射在频率为20kHz,功率为800W条件下,不同处理时间对大豆分离蛋白膜性能的影响。结果表明,超声辐射对膜性能有明显的改善作用。经超声辐射处理2min可以显著提高膜的抗拉强度,相对于对照样提高了64.08%(P≤0.05);同时也明显降低了膜的水蒸汽透过系数,相对于对照样降低了25.70%(P≤0.05)。经超声处理后的膜机械强度和阻湿性能均得到了提高,同时具有均匀透明的外观。     

Study of the physical properties of whey protein: sericin protein-blended edible films

Effects of the sericin protein on the physical properties of the whey protein isolate film including the mechanical strength, water vapor permeability, light transmission, moisture content, solubility and swelling were investigated in the present work. The mechanical strength of the whey protein film could be reinforced with 0.1% sericin caused by the hydrogen bonding between the sericin and whey protein molecules. Excess addition of the sericin promoted sericin self-aggregation which made the network microstructure of the film heterogeneous and therefore reduced its mechanical strength. The water vapor permeability of the film decreased with the sericin content; in contrast, the other physical properties of the film such as the moisture content, solubility, swelling, light transmission and transparency were not be significantly affected under the present experimental conditions.     

Mechanical, water vapor barrier and thermal properties of gelatin based edible films

Edible films are thin materials based on a biopolymer. The objectives of this work were to determine the water vapor permeability and the mechanical and thermal properties of edible films based on bovine hide and pigskin gelatins. These films were prepared with 1 g of gelatin/100 ml of water; 15–65 g sorbitol/100 g gelatin; and at natural pH. The samples were conditioned at 58% relative humidity and 22°C for 4 days before testing. The mechanical properties were determined by the puncture test and the water vapor permeability by gravimetric method at 22°C. For DSC analysis, samples were conditioned over silica gel for 3 weeks. Samples (10 mg) were heated at 5°C/min, between −150 and 150°C in a DSC TA 2010. A second scan was run after cell cooling with liquid nitrogen. As expected, the puncture force decreased and the puncture deformation and water vapor permeability increased with the sorbitol content. The origin of gelatin was important only above 25 g sorbitol/100 g gelatin. The DSC traces obtained in the first scan of samples with 15–35 g sorbitol/100 g gelatin, showed a well visible glass transition followed by a sol–gel transition. However, with the increase of sorbitol concentration, the glass transition became broader, typical of the system presenting a phase separation. The model of Couchman and Karazs for ternary system, was used to predict the Tg values as a function of sorbitol concentration.     

热处理和碱处理对可食性大豆分离蛋白膜性能的影响

研究了热处理和碱处理对可食性大豆分离蛋白(SPI)膜性能的影响。对成膜液进行适当的加热和调节pH可以提高SPI膜的抗拉强度(TS)和伸长率(E),降低水蒸气透过系数(WVP)。调节成膜液的pH到9,在70℃加热20min,所得到的膜机械性能和阻湿性能最好。     

Antimicrobial activity of whey protein based edible films incorporated with oregano,rosemary and garlic essential oils

The use of edible films to release antimicrobial constituents in food packaging is a form of active packaging. Antimicrobial properties of spice extracts are well known, however their application to edible films is limited. In this study, antimicrobial properties of whey protein isolate (WPI) films containing 1.0–4.0% (wt/vol) ratios of oregano, rosemary and garlic essential oils were tested against Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC 35218), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 43300), Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC 13076), Listeria monocytogenes (NCTC 2167) and Lactobacillus plantarum (DSM 20174). Ten millilitres of molten hard agar was inoculated by 200 μl of bacterial cultures (colony count of 1 × 10⁸ CFU/ml) grown overnight in appropriate medium. Circular discs of WPI films containing spice extracts, prepared by casting method, were placed on a bacterial lawn. Zones of inhibition were measured after an incubation period. The film containing oregano essential oil was the most effective against these bacteria at 2% level than those containing garlic and rosemary extracts (P < 0.05). The use of rosemary essential oil incorporated into WPI films did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity whereas inhibitory effect of WPI film containing garlic essential oil was observed only at 3% and 4% level (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggested that the antimicrobial activity of some spice extracts were expressed in a WPI based edible film.     

SPI/MC关混可食膜的性能研究

研究了甲基纤维素(MC)对以甘油为增塑剂的大豆分离蛋白(SPI)膜物理性质的影响.结果表明:SPI膜的抗拉强度和表面疏水性随着MC添加量的增加而显著提高(P≤0.05),在添加量为20.0%(w/w,SPI)时相对于对照样分别提高了66.32%和25.39%;断裂伸长率随着MC添加量的增加而先增大后降低,在添加量为10.0%时最大;膜的透光率、水分含量、可溶性干物质总量和水蒸气透过系数随着MC添加量的增加而降低(P≤0.05),在添加量为20.0%时相对于对照样分别降低了41.58%、14.02%、26.55%和20.86%.     

Starch-gelatin edible films: Water vapor permeability and mechanical properties as affected by plasticizers

Physical and mechanical properties of edible films based on blends of sago starch and fish gelatin plasticized with glycerol or sorbitol (25%, w/w) were investigated. Film forming solutions of different ratios of sago starch to fish gelatin (1:0, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, and 5:1) were used and cast at room temperature. Amylose content of sago starch was between 32 and 34% and the protein content of the fish gelatin was found to be 81.3%. The findings of this study showed that the addition of fish gelatin in starch solutions has a significant effect (p < 0.05), resulting in films with lower tensile strength (TS) and higher water vapor permeability (WVP). On the other hand, increasing protein content (from 10.9% to 21.6%) in film samples plasticized with sorbitol showed significantly lower (p < 0.05) TS but no trend was observed in % elongation-at-break (EAB) and no differences in WVP. However, TS decreased with higher protein content in the samples when either plasticizers were used in general, but no significance differences was observed among the samples (p < 0.05) with glycerol with exception to film with high protein content (21.6%) only and no trend was observed in % EAB among samples as well. Significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in TS and viscosity between different formulations with sorbitol. The morphology study of the sago starch/fish gelatin films showed smoother surfaces with decreasing protein in the samples with either plasticizer. DSC scans showed that plasticizers and protein content incorporated with sago starch films reduced the glass transition temperature (T_g) and melting temperature (T_m) and the melting enthalpy (ΔH_m). In this study, observation of a single T_g is an indication of the compatibility of the sago starch and fish gelatin polymers to form films at the concentration levels used.     

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.     

自由基氧化引起乳清蛋白理化性质变化的研究

研究了在羟基自由基氧化体系中,不同H2O2浓度(1～20 mmol/L)及不同FeCl3浓度(0.1～2 mmol/L)对乳清蛋白羰基、巯基、二聚酪氨酸等理化性质的影响.每种氧化条件的氧化时间分别为1,3,5 h..结果表明:氧化显著地影响了乳清蛋白的理化性质,同未氧化的对照组乳清蛋白相比,经过5 h氧化,所有浓度的FeCl3体系中,羰基增加3倍以上;所有条件下的巯基损失均达40%以上;在浓度为20 mmol/L的H2O2或2 mmol/L的FeCl3中,二聚酪氨酸分别增加了5倍和7倍.并且发现,在不同的FeCl3条件下其变化趋势更为迅速.由此可知,氧化极大程度地改变了蛋白的理化性质,并可能导致蛋白结构的改变,进而可能影响其功能性质.     

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     

盐对可食性大豆分离蛋白膜亲水性影响的研究

在大豆分离蛋白(SPI)膜中添加NaCl、Na2CO3、Na2S2O3、Na3PO4、Na4P2O7、ZnCl2和FeCl3,通过研究膜的水分含量(WC)、可溶性干物质(TSM)、水蒸气透过系数(WVP)及其动态接触角(DCA)系统考察盐对SPI膜亲水性的影响。结果表明:NaCl和FeCl3使得SPI膜的WC分别增加7.4%和15.5%,Na4P2O7、Na2S2O3、Na3PO4、Na2CO3和ZnCl2分别使WC减少18.8%、18.9%、3.8%、7.6%和16.1%;NaCl和Na2S2O3使SPI膜的TSM略有增加,但Na3PO4、Na2CO3、Na4P2O7、ZnCl2和FeCl3使TSM分别降低32.3%、13.7%、7.1%、12.7%和23.9%;Na3PO4、Na4P2O7、Na2CO3和Na2S2O3及ZnCl2分别使WVP增加88.9%、51.4%、36.5%、28.7%和21.0%,NaCl不改变膜的WVP,而FeCl3使膜的WVP值略有下降;NaCl、Na2CO3、Na2S2O3和FeCl3使SPI膜在极性和非极性溶剂中的DCA均降低,而Na3PO4、Na4P2O7和ZnCl2使得SPI膜在极性和非极性溶剂中的DCA均提高。     

Physical and thermo-mechanical properties of whey protein isolate films containing antimicrobials, and their effect against spoilage flora of fresh beef

The effectiveness of antimicrobial films against beef's spoilage flora during storage at 5 °C and the impact of the antimicrobial agents on the mechanical and physical properties of the films were examined. Antimicrobial films were prepared by incorporating different levels of sodium lactate (NaL) and -polylysine (-PL) into sorbitol-plasticized whey protein isolate (WPI) films. The moisture uptake behavior and the water vapor permeability (WVP) were affected only by the addition of NaL at all concentrations used since an increased water uptake and permeability were observed with the addition of NaL into the protein matrix. An increase of the glass transition temperature (5–15 °C) of the sorbitol region, as determined by Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA), was caused by the addition of -PL into the WPI specimens. Instead, incorporation of NaL into the protein matrix did not alter its thermo-mechanical behavior. The addition of NaL at concentrations of 1.0% and 1.5% w/w in the film-forming solution resulted in a decline of maximum tensile strength (σ_max) and Young modulus (E). A decrease of E and σ_max, accompanied with an increase in elongation at break (%EB), was also observed with increasing -PL concentration, at moisture contents higher that 10% (w/w). The antimicrobial activity of the composite WPI films was tested on fresh beef cut portions. The maximum specific growth rate (μ_max) of total flora (total viable count, TVC) was significantly reduced with the use of antimicrobial films made from 0.75% w/w -PL in film-forming solutions (p < 0.05), while the growth of Lactic Acid Bacteria was completely inhibited. Significant inhibition of growth of the total flora and pseudomonads was also observed with the use of films made with protein solutions containing 2.0% w/w NaL. These results pointed to the effectiveness of the antimicrobial whey protein films to extend the shelf life of fresh beef.