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.     

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.     

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.     

Hydrophilic Edible Films: Modified Procedure for Water Vapor Permeability and Explanation of Thickness Effects

The ASTM E96 Standard Method for determining water vapor permeability (WVP) was modified for hydrophilic edible films. Accurate measurement of relative humidity conditions and maintenance of 152 m/min air speeds were essential outside the test cups. The WVP Correction Method was developed to account for the water vapor partial pressure gradient in stagnant air layer of the test cup. Errors were as high as 35% without this correction. Applying these guidelines explained commonly observed thickness effects on WVP values of hydrophilic films. Relative humidity was the cause of observed thickness effects.     

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.     

Plasticizing Effects of Beeswax and Carnauba Wax on Tensile and Water Vapor Permeability Properties of Whey Protein Films

ABSTRACT: The possible plasticizing effect of beeswax (viscoelastic wax) and carnauba wax (elastic wax) on tensile and water vapor permeability properties of whey protein isolate (WPI) films was studied. For the experiments, 3 groups of films with different WPI:glycerol ratios (1:1; 1.5:1; 2:1, 2.5:1, and 3:1) were prepared. The 1st group was made without the addition of wax, and the latter 2 groups were made with the addition of beeswax and carnauba wax, respectively, mixing 1 part of wax to 1 part of WPI. Lipid particle size, water vapor permeability, tensile properties, and thickness of films were analyzed and measured. The results show that the incorporation of beeswax produced a plasticizing effect in WPI:glycerol films, whereas carnauba wax produced an anti-plasticizing effect. The moisture barrier properties of WPI:glycerol films benefit from the addition of beeswax, by both increase of the hydrophobic character and decrease of the amount of hydrophilic plasticizer required in the film.     

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.     

可食性膜阻水特性的研究

本实验采用拟杯子法,以CaCl2为吸水材料,以棉布为膜载体,在温度25±2 ℃、相对湿度为90%±2%的条件下,测定了各种膜的水蒸气透过率,并比较了它们的阻水特性.结果表明,海藻酸钠膜是具有最佳阻水性的多糖膜;明胶膜比大豆蛋白膜阻水性更优;脂质膜的阻水率按以下顺序依次增大:月桂酸＜棕榈酸＜硬脂酸＜石蜡＜蜂蜡,乙酰化单甘酯的阻水性优于单甘酯;增塑剂山梨醇、甘油及乙二醇的加入会使膜的阻水性降低;在三元膜中,脂质膜用作被膜剂比用作乳化剂具有更好的效果.     

Properties of Edible Films from Total Milk Protein

The mechanical properties and water vapor permeability of edible films made from various total milk proteins (TMPs) were investigated. Two TMPs obtained from nonfat dry milk (NDM) by removing lactose and three TMPs obtained from a commercial source were studied. Lactose was extracted from NDM by ultrafiltration or suspension in ethanol followed by filtration. TMP concentrate obtained by ultrafiltration (UF) produced films with the lowest water vapor permeability (WVP) and the highest tensile strength at break. Commercial TMP concentrates produced films more ductile than those from the UF-TMP or retentate from ethanol extraction. Further research is needed to improve mechanical properties of UF-TMP films without increasing the WVP.     

Permeability of d-Limonene in Whey Protein Films

The effects of temperature, relative humidity (%RH) and permeant concentration on aroma permeability were investigated in edible whey protein isolate (WPI) films. An orthogonal regression was performed to ascertain significance of these factors. Temperature and %RH had exponential effects on d-limonene permeability, interacting synergistically to influence aroma transport in WPI polymer films. Permeability of d-limonene in WPI polymer films was not influenced by permeant concentration in the range 62 to 226 ppm (mol/mol). The predictive equation generated by regression analysis could be potentially useful for edible packaging design within the given temperature, %RH, and concentration ranges. The Arrhenius-type format also provided insight into the temperature-sensitivity of WPI films and confirmation of the influence of %RH on permeability activation energy.     

Water Vapor Permeability of Mammalian and Fish Gelatin Films

ABSTRACT:  Water vapor permeability of cold- and warm-water fish skin gelatins films was evaluated and compared with different types of mammalian gelatins. Alaskan pollock and salmon gelatins were extracted from frozen skins, others were obtained from commercial sources. Water vapor permeability of gelatin films was determined considering differences on percent relative humidity (%RH) at the film underside. Molecular weight distribution, amino acid composition, gel strength, viscoelastic properties, pH, and clarity were also determined for each gelatin. Water vapor permeability of cold-water fish gelatin films (0.93 gmm/m²hkPa) was significantly lower than warm-water fish and mammalian gelatin films (1.31 and 1.88 gmm/m²hkPa, respectively) at 25 °C, 0/80 %RH through 0.05-mm thickness films. This was related to increased hydrophobicity due to reduced amounts of proline and hydroxyproline in cold-water fish gelatins. As expected, gel strength and gel setting temperatures were lower for cold-water fish gelatin than either warm-water fish gelatins or mammalian gelatins. This study demonstrated significant differences in physical, chemical, and rheological properties between mammalian and fish gelatins. Lower water vapor permeability of fish gelatin films can be useful particularly for applications related to reducing water loss from encapsulated drugs and refrigerated or frozen food systems.     

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.     

Polarity Homogeneity and Structure Affect Water Vapor Permeability of Model Edible Films

A continuous gravimetric measurement method was perfected to determine with accuracy the water vapor permeability of edible films. Two substances, methylcellulose and paraffin wax, with different physicochemical properties, were used as films. Factors affecting permeability included the polarity of film components, the homogeneity or dispersion of material in the film and the structure which depends on the distribution of paraffin wax in the composite films. The thickness and the Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) measurement methods resulted in different values for permeability. WVTR increased with hydrophilicity and heterogeneity. Modeling trials con-cerning water vapor transport indicated the major influence that structure had on permeability. Waxlaminated fiIms had a very high barrier efficiency, comparable with that of synthetic films.     

氧化咖啡酸交联乳清蛋白膜的热学、光学特性及水汽渗透率、消化率研究

采用氧化咖啡酸作为交联剂,研究其对乳清蛋白交联所成膜的热、光、水汽渗透和消化等功能特性。咖啡酸溶液经氧化后以质量分数2%和4%的量(以蛋白量为基础)加入到6g/100mL、90℃热变性的乳清蛋白溶液(pH8.0),采用铺展法制备蛋白膜。利用SDS-PAGE、差示扫描量热法、热重技术等方法来表征氧化咖啡酸对乳清蛋白的交联性和膜功能性的影响。结果表明:氧化咖啡酸主要通过促进二硫键和部分非还原共价键交联蛋白,使蛋白成膜的热稳定性提高。此外,这种交联处理能显著降低膜材料的光通透率和透明性,但对水汽渗透率无显著性降低作用。体外消化实验结果显示较高质量分数的氧化咖啡酸处理可显著降低膜的消化性。     

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.     

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)。     

Role of Covalent and Noncovalent Interactions in the Formation of Films from Unheated Whey Protein Solutions Following pH Adjustment

ABSTRACT: Films were formed from heated whey protein isolate (WPI) solutions (heated [H] films) and from unheated WPI solutions following adjustment to pH 11, with subsequent readjustment to pH 7 (unheated, readjusted [UR] films) or without readjustment to pH 7 (unheated, unadjusted films [UU] films). UU and UR films had significantly lower % elongation, tensile strength, and Young's modulus than H films. Film solubility and dispersion in water were in the order: H films < UU films < UR films. Free sulphydryl groups were lower and disulphide-mediated polymerization was higher in heated than in unheated WPI solutions whereas solubility of H films increased in the presence of dithiothreitol.     

Whey Protein Edible Film Structures Determined by Atomic Force Microscope

Atomic force microscopy was used to study edible films produced from whey proteins. The films were imaged under ambient conditions with no special sample preparation. Low resolution imaging of areas from 10 μm to 150 μm on a side was performed in the contact mode. Higher resolution scans of 350 nm to 2,700 nm required use of the noncontact imaging mode. Features about the same size as the primary protein in whey, beta-lactoglobulin (7 nm), were identified in the film samples. Molecular aggregates in the range of 1 μm, reported in other studies using transmission electron microscopy of whey protein gels, were combined in results from atomic force microscopy.     

Heat Curing of Whey Protein Films

Heat curing of edible whey protein isolate (WPI) films was studied as a means of improving mechanical and water vapor barrier properties. Curing temperature and relative humidity (RH) effects on the rate of change of maximum tensile stress (TS), elongation at break (E), Young's Modulus (Y_m), and water vapor permeability (WVP) were investigated. Cure time linearly affected TS and Y_m, while influencing E and WVP exponentially. Increased cure temperature and reduced RH accelerated TS increase, E and Y_m decrease, and increased improvement in WVP barrier properties. These data support the hypothesis that heat curing may elicit additional cross-linking of protein, yielding increased TS and decreased E and WVP; however, further work is required to confirm this hypothesis.     

Formation Conditions, Water-vapor Permeability, and Solubility of Compression-molded Whey Protein Films

ABSTRACT: Films based on whey protein isolate (WPI) were formed using compression molding. Compression molded films could be formed using 30% to 50% moisture content or glycerol content WPI at 104 °C to 160 °C for 2 min. Films made from water-WPI mixtures were brittle and insoluble and had water-vapor permeability values independent of starting water-WPI mixture moisture content, molding temperature, or molding pressure. Gly-WPI films produced at 104 °C were flexible and partially soluble. Gly-WPI films produced at 140 °C were also flexible but nearly insoluble. Glycerol content and molding temperature and pressure had little effect on water-vapor permeability values of Gly-WPI films over the range of conditions studied.