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).     

Tensile, water vapor barrier and antimicrobial properties of PLA/nanoclay composite films

PLA-based composite films with different types of nanoclays, such as Cloisite Na⁺, Cloisite 30B and Cloisite 20A, were prepared using a solvent casting method and their tensile, water vapor barrier and antimicrobial properties were tested. Tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (E), and water vapor permeability (WVP) of control PLA film were 50.45 ± 0.75 MPa, 3.0 ± 0.1%, and 1.8 × 10⁻¹¹ g m/m² s Pa, respectively. TS and E of nanocomposite films prepared with 5 g of clay/100 g of PLA decreased 10-20% and 11-17%, respectively, depending on the clays used. On the contrary, WVP of the nanocomposite films decreased 6-33% through nanoclay compounding. Among the clay types used, Cloisite 20A was the most effective in improving the water vapor barrier property while sacrificing tensile properties the least. The effect of clay concentration tested using Cloisite 20A showed a significant decrease in TS and WVP, with increases in clay content. Among the PLA/clay composite films tested, only PLA/Cloisite 30B composite film showed a bacteriostatic function against Listeria monocytogenes.     

Mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of extruded and heat-pressed gelatin films

Gelatin-based edible films were produced by extruding hot melt of gelatin-based resins through a die with slot orifice and followed by heat-pressed method. The resins were plasticized with glycerol, sorbitol and the mixture of glycerol and sorbitol (MGS). The effect of type of plasticizer on extruded and heat-pressed (EHP) film-forming capacity was studied, and the mechanical and water barrier properties of resulting EHP gelatin films were compared with those of gelatin films prepared by solution casting method. Stretchable films were formed when glycerol or MGS were used as plasticizer, whereas resins plasticized with sorbitol were extruded in non-stretchable sheets. Glycerol plasticized gelatin film showed the highest flexibility and transparency among the EHP films tested. Tensile strength (TS), elongation (E) and water vapor permeability (WVP) of glycerol plasticized EHP gelatin films were 17.3 MPa, 215.9% and 2.46 ng m/m² s Pa, respectively, and EHP gelatin films had higher E values, lower TS values and higher WVP values compared to the glycerol plasticized cast gelatin films.     

Combined Effects of Proteins and Polysaccharides on Physical Properties of Whey Protein Concentrate-based Edible Films

ABSTRACT: The water-vapor permeability (WVP) and mechanical properties of edible films formed from dry blends or co-dried preparations of protein-polysaccharide powders prepared from whey protein concentrate (WPC)-45 and alginate, pectin, carrageenan, or konjac flour (WPC-45-to-polysaccharide ratio of 95:5 w/w) were investigated. Films were prepared from 8% WPC using WPC-45 (45% protein powder), consisting of 17.76 g of WPC-45 in 82.84 g of water per 100 g solution to give 8% protein w/w. Films formed from co-dried powders had lower WVP and higher tensile strength (TS), elastic modulus (EM) ( P < 0.05), and elongation (EL) than equivalent films formed from the dry blended powders. Films containing alginate had lower WVP and higher TS, EM, and EL than films containing pectin, carrageenan, or konjac flour. There is potential to alter the physical properties of hydrophilic films by combining whey protein and polysaccharide components.     

Physical properties of PVOH/chitosan-blended films cast from different solvents

Homopolymer films of chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and blended films consisting of PVOH and chitosan were cast from different organic acid solvents: acetic acid (AA), citric acid (CA), lactic acid (LA) and malic acid (MA) and characterized for mechanical and barrier properties. Intermolecular interactions were investigated with FTIR. Cross-linking and interactions with the solvent system resulted in a wide range of properties. Also, the effect of blends and acid solvent on the mechanical properties [tensile strength (TS), % breaking elongation (%BE)] and barrier properties [water vapor permeability (WVP)] was investigated. The organic acid used as a solvent affected mechanical properties and the WVP of PVOH/chitosan films blends. TS and %BE of PVOH/chitosan films were 13.5–221.9 Mpa and 5.2–451.8%, respectively. The WVP ranged from 0.19 to 0.62 ng m/m² s Pa. The range of properties, both intermediate from the component polymers and extending beyond either individual component suggests molecular interactions and cross-linking within the blends. Elucidation of these interactions continues.     

Preparation and characterization of agar/clay nanocomposite films: the effect of clay type

Abstract: Agar‐based nanocomposite films with different types of nanoclays, such as Cloisite Na⁺, Cloisite 30B, and Cloisite 20A, were prepared using a solvent casting method, and their tensile, water vapor barrier, and antimicrobial properties were tested. Tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (E), and water vapor permeability (WVP) of control agar film were 29.7 ± 1.7 MPa, 45.3 ± 9.6%, and (2.22 ± 0.19) × 10^?9 g·m/m²·s·Pa, respectively. All the film properties tested, including transmittance, tensile properties, WVP, and X‐ray diffraction patterns, indicated that Cloisite Na⁺ was the most compatible with agar matrix. TS of the nanocomposite films prepared with 5% Cloisite Na⁺ increased by 18%, while WVP of the nanocomposite films decreased by 24% through nanoclay compounding. Among the agar/clay nanocomposite films tested, only agar/Cloisite 30B nanocomposite film showed a bacteriostatic function against Listeria monocytogenes.     

Preparation and properties of dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose crosslinked gelatin edible films

Glycerol-plasticized gelatin edible films with a new kind of dialdehyde polysaccharide, dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose (DCMC) as crosslinking agent are successful prepared using casting techniques. The mechanical properties, thermal stability, light barrier properties, swelling behavior as well as water vapor permeability (WVP) of the gelatin-DCMC films are investigated. The results indicate that the addition of DCMC causes tensile strength (TS) and thermal stability to increase and elongation at break (EB) to decrease, suggesting the occurrence of crosslinking between gelatin and DCMC. The light barrier measurements present high values of transparency at 280 nm and low values of transparency at 600 nm of the gelatin-DCMC films, indicating that gelatin-DCMC films are very transparent (lower in transparency value) while they have excellent barrier properties against UV light. Moreover, the values of transparency at 280 nm increase with the increased DCMC and glycerol content, suggesting the potential preventive effect of gelatin-DCMC films on the retardation of product oxidation induced by UV light. Furthermore, the addition of DCMC can greatly decrease the water vapor permeability (WVP) and equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR) down to values about 1.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ g m/m² s Pa and 150%, revealing the potential of DCMC in reducing the water sensitivity of gelatin-based films. In common for hygroscopic plasticizer in edible films, the addition of glycerol gives increase of EB and WVP and decrease of thermal stabilities and ESR of the gelatin-DCMC films.     

Effects of plasticizers and nano-clay content on the physical properties of chicken feather protein composite films

To prepare chicken feather protein (CFP)/nano-clay composite films and to evaluate the effects of various plasticizers and nano-clay concentrations on the mechanical properties of the films, CFP composite films with various concentrations of Cloisite Na⁺ were prepared, and their physical properties such as tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (E), and water vapor permeability (WVP) were investigated. Optimal CFP films were formed with 5 g of CFP, 0.5 g of glycerol, and 1.5 g of sorbitol in 100 mL of film-forming solution; the TS, E, and WVP of the film were 4.74 MPa, 10.08%, and 3.11 × 10⁻⁹ g m/m² s Pa, respectively. After the nano-clay was incorporated into the CFP film-forming solution, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction studies were conducted to examine the structural characteristics of the CFP/nano-clay composite films. The incorporation of nano-clay improved the physical properties of the CFP films. The TS of the CFP/nano-clay composite film containing 7% Cloisite Na⁺ increased by 1.21 MPa, and the WVP of the composite film decreased by 1.15 × 10⁻⁹ g m/m² s Pa compared to the CFP film. Therefore, these results suggest that CFP composite films can be prepared with improved mechanical property by the addition of nano-clay and used as a food packaging material in the food industry.     

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.     

Development and characterization of cassava starch and soy protein concentrate based edible films

The sensory attributes, mechanical, water vapour permeability (WVP) and solubility properties of cassava starch and soy protein concentrate (SPC)‐based edible films of varying levels of glycerol were studied. Addition of SPC and glycerol up to 30% and 20%, respectively, reduced stickiness and improved colour and appearance of the films. Tensile strength (TS), elastic modulus (EM) and elongation at break (EAB) of films increased, while film solubility (FS) and WVP decreased with SPC and glycerol up to 50% and 20% level, respectively, ranging from 20.33 to 26.94 MPa (TS), 41.33 to 72.76 MPa (EM), 7.90 to 12.28 MPa (EAB), 15.07 to 31.90% (FS) and 2.62 to 4.13 g H₂O mm m^?2 day kPa (WVP). The TS, EAB and WVP were higher for the biofilms than for low‐density polyethylene and cellophane films.     

Water barrier and physical properties of starch/decolorized hsian-tsao leaf gum films: Impact of surfactant lamination

The moisture barrier and physical properties of bilayer films prepared by lamination of starch/decolorized hsian-tsao leaf gum (dHG) and surfactant layers were investigated. It was found that the water vapor permeability (WVP) of tapioca starch/dHG film (1.31 × 10^?10 g/m s Pa) pronouncedly decreased by the aid of a surfactant layer lamination (1.36–5.25 × 10^?12 g/m s Pa). The WVP of bilayer film increased with increasing the concentration of starch/dHG in the surfactant layer, but was not significantly influenced when it was thickened. The sorption isotherms of both monolayer and bilayer films made from starch/dHG showed typical behavior of water-vapor-sensitive hydrophilic biopolymers. However, the equilibrium moisture content of the monolayer film was significantly higher than that of bilayer films when water activity (a_w) reaches 0.33. Both the tensile and puncture force of starch/dHG films did not vary significantly by laminating a surfactant layer, indicating the mechanical strength of surfactant layer is relatively weak, and this surfactant layer mainly served as a barrier for moisture. When compared to emulsion-based starch/dHG films with surfactant, the surfactant laminated starch/dHG films showed higher water barrier property, mechanical strength, and transparency.     

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     

Fatty Acid Concentration Effect on Tensile Strength, Elongation, and Water Vapor Permeability of Laminated Edible Films

Water vapor permeability (WVP), tensile strength (TS), and elongation (E) were investigated in laminated methyl cellulose/corn zein-fatty acid films. They were prepared by casting corn zein-fatty acid solutions onto methyl cellulose films. WVP decreased as chain length and concentration of fatty acids increased. The TS of laminated edible film containing palmitic acid decreased as palmitic acid increased. The TS of films containing stearic-palmitic acid blends showed similar trends but there were no significant differences among blends. The TS of the film containing lauric acid was maximum at 30% lauric acid concentration. The E values for films containing fatty acids varied inversely with TS.     

Physical assessment of composite biodegradable films manufactured using whey protein isolate,gelatin and sodium alginate

Composite films were manufactured using whey protein isolate (WPI), gelatin (G) and sodium alginate (SA) using a simplex centroid design. Tensile strength (TS), puncture strength (PT), percentage elongation at break point (E), tear strength (TT), water vapour permeability (WVP) and oxygen permeability (OP) of films were evaluated. The interactions between biopolymers showed quadratic effects (P < 0.01) on TS, E, PT, TT and WVP values. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to investigate the microstructures of composite films. The proportion of ingredients required to produce the optimum composite films was determined to be: WPI (g):G (g):SA (g) = 8.0:12.0:5.0. Overall, films (WPIGSA-9) produced using the combination of WPI (g):G (g):SA (g) = 10.0:16.0:14.0 demonstrated the best barrier to oxygen (8.00 cm³ μm/m² d kPa); while films (WPIGSA-1) showed the best barrier to water vapour (48.04 g mm/kPa d m²); films (WPIGSA-6) using the combination of WPI (g):G (g):SA (g) = 10.0:17.5:22.5 had the best mechanical properties of all of the experimental composite films tested.     

Soy Protein Isolate/Corn-Zein Laminated Films: Transport and Mechanical Properties

ABSTRACT: Soy protein films were thermally laminated with either single or double coats of corn-zein. Microstructural characterization of the surfaces and cross-sections reveals a ductile protein matrix of the soy component, but a brittle layered structure for the corn-zein component. The hydrophobic nature of the corn-zein improved the water vapor barrier properties of the laminates, while the superior oxygen barrier characteristics remained unaffected, as compared with the base soy film. The haze values of the laminates increased without much change in total light transmission. Tensile properties supported observations from microscopy, in that tensile properties indicated ductile behavior of the soy films, but a brittle behavior for the double-coat laminates.     

Assessment of film-forming potential and properties of protein and polysaccharide-based biopolymer films

This study assessed the film‐forming abilities of six types of proteins, as well as six types of polysaccharides at various concentrations (proteins: 0–16%; polysaccharides: 0–4%) and heating temperatures (60–80 °C). Biopolymer films evaluated included: sodium caseinate (SC), whey protein isolate (WPI), gelatine (G); caboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), sodium alginate (SA) and potato starch (PS). Screening trials showed that optimal film‐forming conditions were achieved using SC and G (4% and 8%), WPI (8% and 12%), PS, CMC (2% and 3%) or SA (1% and 1.5%) solutions heated to 80 °C in combination with 50% (w/w) glycerol. Films manufactured from 1.5% SA, 8% G and 3% CMC had the highest tensile strength (24.88 MPa); flexibility (89.69%)/tear strength (0.30 N) and puncture resistance (22.66 N), respectively. SC, WPI and G‐based films were more resistant to solvent than SA, CMC and PS. Film permeability to water vapour and oxygen decreased in the order: 12% WPI to 1% SA and 12% WPI to 1% SA. All films tested were impermeable to oil.     

Water Vapor Permeability and Mechanical Properties of Soy Protein Isolate Edible Films Composed of Different Plasticizer Combinations

Water barrier and mechanical properties were measured for soy protein isolate (SPI) films plasticized with glycerol (GLY) and 1 of the plasticizers (propylene glycol [PG], polyethylene glycol [PEG], sorbitol [SOR], or sucrose [SUC]) at a ratio of 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 0:100. Plasticizer type as well as the plasticizer ratio in the GLY: plasticizer mixtures affected the film water barrier and mechanical properties. An addition of as little as 25% of a less hygroscopic plasticizer in the mixture induced significant reduction in water vapor permeability (WVP) of SPI films. However, at least 50% of the mixture needs to be GLY to show significant improvement in tensile strength (TS). From our experimental design, 50:50 GLY:SOR was the recommended combination because of its comparatively low WVP value and relatively high flexibility and strength. Incompatibility of GLY:PEG plasticizer mixture in SPI film was observed by surface migration of PEG from the film matrix.     

Effects of nanoclay type on the physical and antimicrobial properties of PVOH-based nanocomposite films

Polyvinyl alcohols-based nanocomposite films with four types of montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay, including 18-amino stearic acid (I.24TL), methyl, bis hydroxyethyl, octadecyl ammonium (I.34TCN), di-methyl, di-hydrogenated tallow ammonium/siloxane (I.44PSS) organically modified MMT and a natural MMT (Na⁺-MMT) were fabricated by a solution-intercalation, film-casting method, and effects of the nanoclays were evaluated on physical properties, including transmittance, tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (E), water solubility (WS), swelling ratio (SR), water vapor uptake ratio (WVUR), and water vapor permeability (WVP), as well as antimicrobial activity of the polyvinyl alcohols-based films. Transmittance, WS, SR, WVUR, WVP of the nanocomposite films were significantly reduced by nano-composition compared to a pure polyvinyl alcohols film. The WVP decreased by 11.8–20.7%, and WS, SR and WVUR decreased by 19.9–41.8%, 9.1–26.4%, and 4.8–12.8%, respectively. The extent of changes was dependent on nanoclay type. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that intercalation was formed in nanocomposite films. Overall among all the tested nanoclays, Na⁺-MMT showed more impact on physical properties of polyvinyl alcohols films, and the polyvinyl alcohols film compounded with quaternary ammonium group displayed remarkable antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria.     

Mechanical and barrier properties of biodegradable soy protein isolate-based films coated with polylactic acid

Polylactic acid (PLA)-coated soy protein isolate (SPI) films were prepared by dipping SPI film into PLA solution. The effects of coating on improvements in mechanical and water barrier properties of the film were tested by measuring selected film properties such as tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (E), water vapor permeability (WVP), and water solubility (WS). TS of SPI films increased from 2.8±0.3 up to 17.4±2.1 MPa, depending on the PLA concentration of the coating solution, without sacrificing the film's extensibility. In contrast, the extensibility of SPI film coated with solution containing more than 2 g PLA/100 ml solvent, increased. WVP of PLA-coated SPI films decreased from 20 to 60 fold, depending on the concentration of PLA coating solution. Water resistance of SPI films was greatly improved as demonstrated by the dramatic decrease in WS for PLA-coated films. The improvement in water barrier properties was mainly attributed to the hydrophobicity of PLA.     

玉米淀粉/蛋壳粉复合膜的制备及性能分析

以玉米淀粉（corn starch,CS）和蛋壳粉（eggshell powder,ESP）为主要成膜基材制备CS/ESP复合膜。研究CS质量浓度、ESP添加量、丙三醇（glycerol,Gly）添加量3 个因素对CS/ESP膜抗拉强度（tensile strength,TS）、断裂伸长率（elongation at break,EB）、水蒸气透过系数（water vapour permeability,WVP）和氧气透过率（oxygen permeability,OP）的影响。在此基础上采用主成分分析法对膜性能进行综合评价,并通过响应面法优化试验得到CS/ESP膜制备的最佳工艺参数,具体如下：CS质量浓度4.9 g/100 mL、Gly添加量49%（m/m）、ESP添加量1.9%（m/m）,对应CS/ESP膜的TS、EB、WVP和OP分别为4.97 MPa、109.12%、1.31×10－12 g/（cm·s·Pa）和1.19×10－5 cm3/（m2·d·Pa）。傅里叶变换红外光谱分析表明ESP和CS具有较好的相容性。X射线衍射和热重分析结果表明ESP的添加提高了CS/ESP膜的结晶度和热稳定性。扫描电子显微镜分析表明CS/ESP膜具有光滑的表面和断面形貌,没有明显的突起和腔。