Milk Protein-based Edible Film Mechanical Strength Changes due to Ultrasound Process

The effects of ultrasound frequency, acoustic power, and exposure time on the functional properties of whey protein concentrate and sodium caseinate films were examined. Average tensile strength of the ultrasound treated caseinate films was 224% higher than that of the control. The ultrasonic process was more effective on sodium caseinate than whey protein concentrate film. Resistance to puncture was improved for both types of films treated at an acoustic power of 5.22W. Increased exposure time resulted in stronger films. Elongation at break, water vapor permeability, and moisture content of films were not affected by the treatment. Ultrasound showed potential for improving mechanical strengths of milk protein films.     

Effect of calcium and sodium caseinates on physical characteristics of soy protein isolate–lipid films

The effect of addition of caseinates to soy protein isolated (SPI) based films containing lipids (33% of oleic acid or 85:15 oleic acid (OA)–beeswax blend (BW)) on water vapour permeability (WVP), mechanical and optical properties was evaluated. SPI–lipids was combined with caseinates (sodium or calcium) in different SPI:caseinate ratios with the aim of improving water vapour barrier, mechanical and optical properties of SPI films containing lipids. Caseinate incorporation to SPI based films provoked an increase of elastic modulus and tensile strength at break, mainly for calcium caseinate. Both caseinates contributed to increase the water vapour barrier properties of soy protein-based films. Caseinates also provoked an increase of transparency of SPI based films and colour softening. The most effective combination was 1:1 sodium caseinate:SPI ratio, when film contains 85:15 oleic acid:beeswax ratio.     

Mechanical and Barrier Properties of Rice Bran Films

Biodegradable films were prepared from rice bran, and their water vapor and oxygen permeabilities, mechanical properties and solubilities were studied. No differences in apparent water vapor permeability (WVP_app) were observed between rice bran films cast at pH 9.5 (RBfilm 9.5) and those cast at pH 3.0 (RBfilm 3.0). Rice bran films had higher WVP_app and oxygen permeability when compared to a polyvinylidene chloride film. RBfilm 3.0 had lower oxygen permeability compared to RBfilm 9.5. Puncture strength, tensile strength, breaking factor, and protein solubility of RBfilm 9.5 were higher than those of RBfilm 3.0. A positive correlation (r = 0.91) was observed between puncture strength and tensile strength of films.     

Properties of Laminated Films from Whey Powder and Sodium Caseinate Mixtures and Zein Layers

Corn zein-stearic acid films were laminated to whey powder (WP) and sodium caseinate (SC) mixture (WSM) films. WSM films were prepared at three mass ratios of WP and SC (50:50, 60:40, and 70:30 in w/w) by casting method. WSM films with poor mechanical and barrier properties were produced as the whey powder ratio of WSM increased from 50:50 to 70:30. Corn-zein lamination improved the mechanical and water barrier properties of WSM films by increasing tensile strength (TS) from 4.7-14.5 to 14.0-26.8 MPa and by decreasing water vapor permeabilities (WVP) from 0.432-0.490 to 0.386-0.422 ng m/m² s Pa. However, elongations of corn-zein laminated films were reduced from 64.5-128.0 to 2.6-4.5%. Mechanical and water barrier properties of corn-zein laminated WSM films were affected by the mass ratio of whey powder to sodium caseinate in WSM films. Addition of stearic acid up to 10 g/100 g of corn zein decreased TS and WVP of laminated films to approximately 12 MPa and 0.36 ng m/m² s Pa regardless of mass ratio in WSM film. However, no significant differences in TS and WVP were found with further addition of stearic acids.     

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 ferulic acid and α-tocopherol antioxidants on properties of sodium caseinate edible films

Edible films, based on sodium caseinate containing three different concentrations of ferulic acid or α-tocopherol (20, 40 and 60 mg/g sodium caseinate), were obtained in order to evaluate the effect of these compounds on properties of the caseinate matrices. Special emphasis was placed on their effect on the films’ oxygen barrier properties, which are decisive in the prevention of the oxidation of foods containing lipids. Films were characterized as to their tensile, optical and surface properties as well as their barrier properties to water vapor, oxygen and aroma compounds (n-hexanal and n-hexanol). Ferulic acid was more efficient at reducing oxygen and n-hexanal permeability than α-tocopherol. Although ferulic acid slightly increased the stiffness of films at low concentration, in general, both antioxidants slightly reduce mechanical resistance, water vapor permeability, gloss and transparency of the films.     

Barrier properties of sodium caseinate films as affected by lipid composition and moisture content

This work analyses the effect of lipid addition (oleic acid, beeswax and oleic acid-beeswax mixtures) as well as the influence of the relative humidity (RH), or the equilibrium water content of the films, on the permeability of sodium caseinate based films to water vapor and gas (oxygen and carbon dioxide). The effect that lipid addition had on the gas and water vapor permeability was dependent both on the composition of oleic acid-beeswax mixtures and the film’s moisture content. The addition of lipid mixtures reduced water vapor transfer as compared to the control films (without lipid), whereas pure oleic acid or beeswax were less effective. Both control films and films prepared with pure beeswax showed the lowest O₂ and CO₂ permeability, whereas the incorporation of oleic acid exponentially increased these values. A linear increase in water vapor and gas permeability was observed when the water content of the film rose, due to its plasticizing effect, which led to an increase in the molecular mobility. Predictive equations for water vapor permeability (WVP) and gas permeability were established as a function of water content and lipid composition.     

Tensile and Barrier Properties of Edible Films Made from Whey Proteins

ABSTRACT: Whey protein isolate (WPI)-based edible biopolymer films were prepared using a film-forming stage designed to provide heat-induced gelation. Effects of whey-protein ratios, calcium, glycerol (plasticizer), and emulsion droplet incorporation on film tensile and barrier properties were investigated. Protein ratios had less influence on tensile strength, elongation, and water vapor permeability than glycerol and calcium ion concentrations. Semitransparent films with reasonably high tensile and UV-light barrier properties and moderate water vapor barrier properties were prepared from WPI:20% glycerol:10 mM calcium solutions. Microstructure analysis revealed the influence of glycerol and calcium concentrations on gel networks, which could be related to film tensile properties.     

Edible films made from membrane processed soy protein concentrates

Edible films were prepared from membrane processed soy protein concentrate (MSC) at various film forming solution pHs, and their mechanical, barrier, and physical properties were compared with soy protein isolate (SPI) films. As the film solution pH increased from 7 to 10, the resulted MSC films were more transparent, yellowish, and had lower oxygen permeabilities. However, tensile strength (TS), modulus of elasticity (ME) and water vapor permeabilities of MSC films were not affected by film solution pHs. The values of MSC films prepared at pH 7 were not significantly (P>0.05) different from those of SPI films prepared at alkaline solutions (pH 8-10). The uniform TS and ME values of MSC film over the wide film solution pH ranges were attributed to the higher solubility of MSC at pH 7. For the films formed at neutral film solutions (pH 7.0), MSC films showed significantly (P<0.05) higher elongation value, film solubility, and transparency compared to SPI films.     

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.     

Physical and Mechanical Properties of High-amylose Rice and Pea Starch Films as Affected by Relative Humidity and Plasticizer

ABSTRACT: The tensile properties, water vapor permeability, oxygen permeability at different relative humidities (RH), and water solubility of edible films made of high-amylose rice starch (RS) or pea starch (PS) were measured and compared with the most commonly used edible films. Photomicrography of starch films shows amylopectin-rich gels and amylose-rich granules. The addition of glycerol into starch films made amylose-rich granules swollen and continuously dispersed between amylopectin-rich gels. Tensile strength of RS and PS films decreased when RH increased from 51% to 90%, whereas elongation-at-break (E) of both films increased when RH increased. Water vapor permeabilities of both films were similar, resulting in 130 to 150 g mm/m²/d /kPa. Oxygen permeability of RS and PS were very low (< 0.5 cm³μm/m²/d/kPa) below 40% RH, and 1.2 to 1.4 at 45% RH. Water solubility of PS film was 32.0%, which is lower than that of RS film (44.4%). Overall high-amylose rice and pea starch films possess an excellent oxygen barrier property with extremely high stretchability.     

Assessment of physical and mechanical properties of sodium caseinate and stearic acid based film-forming emulsions and edible films

Edible films were prepared using sodium caseinate (6–8 g/100 g) and stearic acid (0–2 g/100 g). Effects of the ratio of stearic acid and sodium caseinate to water on the water vapor permeability (WVP) and mechanical properties of the prepared films were evaluated. Film-forming emulsions were also tested for rheological properties and surface tension. Changes in the ratios of sodium caseinate and stearic acid to water had significant effects on WVP (p < 0.05) and surface tension (p < 0.01). Higher values of consistency coefficient and elastic modulus were obtained in the presence of higher stearic acid. In addition, increase in stearic acid content increased the rate of water loss and gain of elastic modulus at the early stage of drying and resulted in production of less flexible film. The resultant edible film prepared with 6 g/100 g sodium caseinate and 2 g/100 g stearic acid showed the lowest WVP of 1.368 (g mm/m² h kPa).     

乳链菌肽对明胶-酪蛋白钙复合膜理化及抑菌特性的影响研究

本研究将不同浓度的乳链菌肽添加到明胶-酪蛋白钙中,开发出一系列可生物降解的乳链菌肽-明胶-酪蛋白钙抗菌复合膜,并对其力学特性、光学特性、表面形貌、抑菌活性和保鲜效果进行分析。结果表明:加入乳链菌肽后,成膜液中的乳链菌肽等成分物质与明胶相互作用,导致复合膜的宏观和微观性能均有不同程度改变。随着乳链菌肽浓度的提高,复合膜的厚度和断裂伸长率逐渐增大;外观颜色变深;抗拉强度、水溶性和水蒸气透过系数逐渐降低;复合膜透光率的降低,对光的阻隔性能逐渐增强;对常见致食品腐败菌(尤其是革兰氏阳性菌)有明显抑制作用,且逐渐增强;原子力显微镜观测其表面粗糙程度逐渐增大,对冷藏肉的保鲜效果越来越好。因此,乳链菌肽-明胶-酪蛋白钙复合膜的开发在食品包装和保鲜等方面表现出潜在的应用价值。     

Physical and Chemical Properties of Edible Films Containing Nisin and Their Action Against Listeria Monocytogenes

ABSTRACT: The effects of hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of edible films against Listeria monocytogenes strain V7 by various nisin concentrations (4.0 - 160 IU/film disk) and pH values ranging from 2.0 to 8.0 were determined and the mechanical properties and water vapor permeability of films prepared with or without nisin were compared. Surface hydrophobicities (446, 282, 232 and 142, respectively) of whey protein isolates, soy protein isolates, egg albumen and wheat gluten were determined. As the nisin concentration increased, the amount of inhibition progressively increased in all tested films. Using nisin, edible films with higher hydrophobicity values of 280 to 450 units under an acidic environment exerted a greater inhibitory effect against L. monocytogenes. Different interactions of nisin with the proteins of the different films resulted in variation in the mechanical properties and water vapor permeabilities of the films tested.     

提高大豆分离蛋白膜机械强度和阻湿性能的研究

以大豆分离蛋白(SPI)为基料,制备可食性包装膜。首先以单一因素考察加入交联剂葡萄糖、还原剂亚硫酸钠、防腐剂丙酸钙分别来提高大豆分离蛋白膜的机械强度,屏蔽水蒸汽的能力,还用透光率和白度进行表征膜的性能;然后对三种物质进行复配,研究可食性包装膜的各项性能。     

Effect of sodium caseinate on properties and ageing behaviour of corn starch based films

The effect of sodium caseinate addition on corn starch films was studied in terms of microstructural, mechanical, optical and water and oxygen barrier properties and the changes they underwent during their 5 weeks' storage under controlled conditions. The influence of the polymer mixture on the degree of crystallization of the films was also analysed. The following starch: protein ratios were considered. 100:0, 75:50, 50:50 and 0:100. SEM Microstructure analysis revealed the compatibility of both hydrocolloids since no phase separation was observed. The addition of sodium caseinate to the starch films provided films that were less stiff and resistant to fracture but more flexible and deformable than pure starch films, with similar water vapour permeability values. The films became more permeable to oxygen as their sodium caseinate content increased in line with the higher permeability values of the protein film. Incorporating sodium caseinate to starch films provoked a slight increase in transparency, but a loss of gloss, which also decreased in composite films during storage. The re-arrangement of polymer chains during storage caused a loss of mechanical resistance, stretchability and gloss in composite films.     

Structure and properties of nanocomposite films based on sodium caseinate and nanocellulose fibers

Films made from sodium caseinate and nanocellulose were prepared by dispersing the fibrils into film forming solutions, casting and drying. Composite films were less transparent and had a more hydrophilic surface than neat sodium caseinate ones. However, the global moisture uptake was almost not affected by filler concentration. Addition of nanocellulose to the neat sodium caseinate films produced an initial increase in the barrier properties to water vapor, and then, it decreases as filler content increased. This was explained in terms of additional detrimental changes (cracks and bubble formation) induced in the morphological structure of the film by the reinforcement.The tensile modulus and strength of composite films increased significantly with increasing cellulose concentrations, while the values of elongation decreased. In the same way it was found that the storage modulus increases considerably with filler addition in the low temperature range (<60 °C), though the effect of temperature on the films performance is even more dramatic, as expected in protein-based materials.     

Modified sodium caseinate films as releasing carriers of lysozyme

Films made of sodium caseinate containing lysozyme where modified by chemical or biochemical crosslinkers to achieve a controlled release of the antimicrobial lysozyme. Kinetic studies in buffered solutions at pH 3.02–5.80 were undertaken. Both the pH and the use of crosslinkers had a strong effect on the protein network, and consequently, a significant influence on the releasing of lysozyme activity. Sodium caseinate (NaCas) films became insoluble networks at pHs close to the isoelectric point of caseinate (pH 4.6), therefore decelerating remarkably the diffusion of lysozyme without the addition of crosslinkers. Additionally a slow release of lysozyme was achieved after mixing with glyoxal, achieving a modulation in the antimicrobial activity against Micrococcus lysodeikticus and Staphylococcus aureus. Other crosslinkers, as calcium chloride or transglutaminase, almost blocked enzyme release and were not found adequate to achieve enough antimicrobial activity. Results showed that active caseinate films modified by pH and glyoxal efficiently retarded the release of lysozyme, being a promising way to extend antimicrobial effects during food storage and to enhance food safety.     

Mechanical and barrier properties of sodium caseinate–anhydrous milk fat edible films

Edible films were cast from solutions of sodium caseinate (NaCAS) and from emulsions of this protein with anhydrous milk fat (AMF). The moisture sorption isotherms, mechanical properties [tensile strength (TS) and elongation] and water vapour and oxygen permeabilities were determined for films based on NaCAS as a function of AMF concentration. AMF concentration significantly affected TS (P < 0.001) and elongation (P < 0.05). The increase of lipid content led to a loss of mechanical efficiency, but had little influence on water vapour barrier properties. No significant difference (P > 0.05) occurred between oxygen permeability of films at each lipid concentration.     

Solubility and Viscous Properties of Casein and Caseinates

An integrated study was conducted on the effects of temperature, pH, salt type and concentration on the functionality of sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate and rennet casein. At 5.6 ≤ pH ≤ 6.2, all proteins exhibited greatest solubility when sodium phosphate was added. Viscosities under these conditions were one to two orders of magnitude greater than solutions at pH < 4.6. Protein solutions and viscosities with added sodium phosphate were not temperature dependent.