Physical and Molecular Properties of Wheat Gluten Films Cast from Heated Film-Forming Solutions

The effect of heating film-forming solutions on physical and molecular properties of cast wheat gluten (WG) films was determined. Glycerol-plasticized films were cast from alkaline (pH 10), heat-treated (55,75, or 95°C for 10 min) solutions of WG in aqueous ethanol. Protein solubility (PS) of films in water decreased (P<0.05) with increasing temperature. Gel permeation chromatograms showed reduced extractability of protein fractions other than ω-gliadins in WG films. This reduced extractability was due to disulfide (S-S) bond formation. SDS-PAGE patterns of native WG and WG film samples suggested increased cross-linking through covalent S-S bonds in films from solutions heated at 75 or 95°C. Water resistance in potential packaging applications of WG edible films could be modified by adjusting heat-treating temperature.     

Preparation and characterisation of films from xylose‐glycosylated peanut protein isolate powder

This work aimed at producing and characterising xylose‐glycosylated peanut protein isolate (PPI‐X) films by dissolving PPI‐X powder in water at ambient temperature and further plasticising with glycerol. The effect of powder dissolution temperature (20–100 °C) and glycerol concentration (15.0–45.0%, w/w) on mechanical properties and integrity of these films was quantified. The results showed that the powder dissolution temperature had no significant effect on the mechanical and water resistance properties of PPI‐X films within the temperature range tested. With increasing concentration of glycerol, the tensile strength and water resistance of PPI‐X films decreased and elongation increased. The films produced by dissolving the PPI‐X powder at 20 °C and plasticising with 25.0% glycerol had comparable mechanical properties and better water resistance compared to some other plant protein films plasticising with glycerol. The results suggested that PPI‐X films could potentially be used as biodegradable packaging materials.     

Effects of protein interactions on properties and microstructure of zein–gliadin composite films

Zein and gliadin are both readily dissolved in aqueous ethanol and have good film-forming property. This article describes an attempt to improve the flexibility of zein films by the addition of gliadin to the zein film-forming solution. The properties of zein–gliadin composite films, i.e., color, transparency, moisture content, water solubility, water vapor permeability, dynamic contact angle which in turn affected the mechanical property, water resistance and glass transition temperature of films were investigated. The contents of second structure were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), whereas morphology of films was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that the addition of gliadin enhanced the strain at break of zein–gliadin composite films as a result of the increase in the content of α-helix, β-turn structures and decrease in the level of β-sheet structure. The water resistance of films decreased with the content of gliadin increasing. Morphology of composite films showed that gliadin and zein organized a homogeneous material. This work opens a new perspective for zein in flexible food package.     

Citric acid cross-linking of starch films

This paper shows that citric acid can cross-link starch and improve the tensile strength, thermal stability and decrease the dissolution of starch films in water and formic acid. The poor mechanical properties and water stability of starch have restricted its industrial applications. Although cross-linking is a common approach to improve the properties of starch products, current starch cross-linking methods are either expensive, toxic or do not impart the desired properties to the cross-linked materials. In this research, the possibility of cross-linking starch films using citric acid to improve their strength and stability was examined. Citric acid cross-linked starch films show about 150% higher strength than non-cross-linked films and have strength better than most cross-linked starch and synthetic polymer blended films previously developed. Films cross-linked with 5% citric acid had only 35% loss in weight after being in formic acid for 5 h at 50 °C whereas the non-cross-linked films dissolved immediately.     

The water vapour permeability,mechanical properties and solubility of fish gelatin–chitosan films modified with transglutaminase or 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and plasticized with glycerol

The effect of glycerol on the mechanical and water barrier properties, as well as on the water solubility, of fish gelatin–chitosan films (4:1, w/w) cross-linked with TGase or EDC was determined. The addition of glycerol in concentrations up to 30% (of the substrate mass) to the fish gelatin–chitosan films modified with TGase or EDC did not change their solubility in buffers of pH 3 and 6 at 25 °C or during heating at 100 °C for 60 min. The chemical and enzymatic cross-linking of the components did not increase the water barrier properties of the films. WVP of the films modified with EDC and TGase was not affected by glycerol at concentrations up to 25% of the substrate mass. Tensile strength of the films decreased after modification of the components with TGase or EDC, respectively, by about 25% and 40%. The elongations of the enzymatically modified films containing 20% of glycerol and of chemically modified films containing 15% of glycerol were, respectively, about 8 and 13 times higher than those of unplasticized films; however, the tensile strengths of plasticized films were, respectively, 2.5 and 5 times lower.     

Functional packaging properties of chitosan films

 The barrier properties of chitosan and cross-linked chitosan films with respect to water vapour at three water activities, oxygen transmission rates and grease resistance values have been determined. Other properties evaluated include tensile strength, tear resistance and burst strength. In general, the cross-linked chitosan films possessed greater permeabilities and lesser values for mechanical properties. The water vapour permeabilities were found to be influenced by water activity, obeying non-Fickian behaviour characteristic of hydrophilic polymers. Received: 1 July 1997     

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.     

Amaranth protein films from thermally treated proteins

The usefulness of amaranth protein isolates, native and thermally treated, in edible films preparation was studied. Protein films were prepared by casting using glycerol as plasticizer. Films from amaranth native protein isolates showed low water vapor permeability (WVP) but poor mechanical properties. In order to improve this functionality, proteins were treated at 70 and 90 °C which corresponds to the denaturation temperature of the protein fractions present in the isolates. The unfolded conformation of these thermally treated proteins, when partially or totally denatured, favors the interactions between polypeptide chains during the film formation. These interactions lead to a greater cross-linking degree, which was reflected in the lower amount of water-soluble free peptides that were linked to the matrix. In these thermally treated protein films, a greatest contribution of disulfide and hydrogen bonds to the films stabilization was observed. These changes in the films structural properties would confer them a greater tensile strength and lower water solubility but higher thickness and WVP.     

大豆蛋白基明胶复合膜性能稳定性分析

以大豆蛋白和明胶为主要原料,采用戊二醛溶液交联方式和戊二醛饱和蒸汽交联制备大豆蛋白基明胶复合膜,通过对两种交联方式制备的复合膜机械性能稳定性和降解性测定,比较分析戊二醛不同交联方式对复合膜机械性能稳定性、降解性及微观结构影响。结果表明,在3个月贮藏期内,戊二醛溶液交联改性、蒸汽交联改性处理复合膜拉伸强度稳定性提高了20.58%、38.51%,延伸率稳定性提高了31.71%、54.49%,水蒸气透过系数稳定性提高了31.74%、52.19%,透氧率稳定性提高了0.24%、18.01%,降解实验中降解速率分别为未经改性处理大豆蛋白基明胶复合膜溶液交联改性处理复合膜蒸汽交联改性处理复合膜。同时,蒸汽交联复合膜表面及拉伸断面形成结构致密的三维立体网络结构。因此,戊二醛蒸汽交联制备的大豆蛋白基明胶复合膜机械稳定性能及微观结构均优于戊二醛溶液交联改性处理复合膜。     

Effect of plasticizing sugars on rheological and thermal properties of zein resins and mechanical properties of zein films

Zein is the most important protein in corn. Zein has good film forming properties. One of the film forming methods is production of zein resin and then thermomolding by hot press. Pure zein film is very brittle. Plasticizers can improve mechanical and film making properties of zein. In this research, sugars (fructose, galactose and glucose) were used as plasticizers and rheological properties of zein resin were studied by dynamic oscillatory tests for determination of plasticization effectiveness. Effect of plasticizers on thermal properties of resins was investigated by DSC at −100 to 150 °C. No crystallization and melting peaks related to zein and plasticizers were observed. As well as there was not significant difference at glass transition temperature between zein resins containing various sugars. Zein films were prepared from zein resins by rolling and hot press and then mechanical properties of films were measured. Films containing galactose had better tensile properties than other films and showed higher tensile strength, strain at break, and Young modulus than films containing fructose and glucose.     

Effect of freezing on physical properties of whey protein emulsion films

The objective of this work was to study the effect of the freezing process on physical properties of whey protein emulsion films with different beeswax content dried at 5 °C. Thickness, microstructure, water vapour permeability, solubility in water, sorption isotherms and mechanical properties were measured in Control and Frozen films. The freezing process did not cause fractures or perforations in films, but films with beeswax showed a change in the appearance of the lipids after freezing. Only films with 40% of beeswax showed a significant increase in the water vapour permeability after freezing. The freezing process did not affect film solubility in water but produced small differences in the equilibrium moisture content values. In the puncture test, the freezing process increased puncture strength and deformation of films without beeswax but those parameters were not affected in films with beeswax. In tensile test, tensile strength and elastic modulus decreased, but elongation was not affected by freezing process. Principal component analysis accomplished an adequate condensation of the date grouping samples according to film formulation and treatment (Control and Frozen films). Indeed, the relationships of sample grouping and measured parameters were enlightened by principal component analysis. In conclusion, whey protein emulsion films were resistant to the freezing process (freezing, frozen storage and thawing) and could be a good alternative as a treatment to preserve the quality of frozen foods.     

Effect of processing parameters on the properties of transglutaminase-treated soy protein isolate films

The effects of processing parameters, including the applied amount of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase), the pH of film-forming solution, air-drying temperature, as well as the additional pre-incubation, on the properties of MTGase-treated soy protein isolate (SPI) films were investigated. The treatment with low concentration of MTGase (4–10 units per gram of SPI, U g^− 1) significantly increased the tensile strength (TS) values of SPI films, while high concentration of MTGase (over 20 U g^− 1) resulted in significant decrease in the TS values (P ≤ 0.05). The elongation at break (EB) values of corresponding films gradually decreased, and the contact angle values persistently increased with the enzyme concentration. At alkaline pH range, the TS and EB values of MTGase-treated SPI films were significantly higher than that at pH 7.0 (P ≤ 0.05). Meanwhile, the contact angle values significantly decreased with increasing pH from 7.0 to 10.0 (P ≤ 0.05). The TS, EB and contact angle values of MTGase-treated films gradually but insignificantly decreased with increasing the air-drying temperature from 18 to 50 °C (P > 0.05). The properties of MTGase-treated films were also affected by the additional pre-incubation of film-forming solutions with MTGase before casting. Furthermore, the aggregation of SPI or its components induced by MTGase has been proved to mainly account for the influence of processing parameters on the properties of SPI films (MTGase-treated). Thus, low concentration of enzyme, alkaline pH range and low air-drying temperature, at which conditions the MTGase-induced aggregation of SPI in film-forming solutions could be in some extent inhibited or delayed, might facilitate the improvement of the properties of SPI films by MTGase, especially the mechanical and surface hydrophobic properties.Industrial relevanceThe development of biodegradable protein film has attracted a lot of attention worldwide. The enzymatic cross-linking induced by transglutaminase has been confirmed to improve mechanical and surface hydrophobic properties of cast films from most of food proteins, including soy proteins. Results of this study show that, the improvement of properties of cast films of soy proteins by transglutaminase treatment is largely dependent upon many processing parameters, e.g., enzyme concentration, the pH of film-forming solution and temperature.     

Denaturation Time and Temperature Effects on Solubility, Tensile Properties, and Oxygen Permeability of Whey Protein Edible Films

ABSTRACT Whey protein film solubility decreased as film-forming solution heating time and temperature increased. No differences were observed in solubility between films soaked in water at 25 °C for 24 h and 100 °C for 4 min. However, the degree of swelling was significantly larger for films soaked at 100 °C. Films became stiffer, stronger and more stretchable as film-forming solution time and temperature were increased. Oxygen permeability (OP) was lower for films made from heat-denatured whey protein than for films made from native whey protein. Results suggest that an increase in covalent cross-linking, as heat denaturation of the whey protein increases, is accountable for film water insolubility, higher tensile properties and lower OP.     

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.     

Edible films produced with gelatin and casein cross-linked with transglutaminase

In this study, transglutaminase was used to produce cross-linked casein, gelatin and casein–gelatin blend (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100) edible films. Cross-linking was investigated by SDS–PAGE. Mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of the films were characterized using ASTM procedures, and the film morphology was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. The casein–gelatin film showed significant greater elongation values (P < 0.05) with or without transglutaminase treatment, as compared to films made from gelatin or casein alone. Mixtures of casein and gelatin produced a synergistic effect only observed in the film elongation, while no improvement was detected for tensile strength and water vapor barrier properties, except for the casein:gelatin (75:25) formulation with transglutaminase, which showed the lowest water vapor permeability value (5.06 ± 0.31 g mm/m² d kPa). Enzymatic cross-linking also induced a substantial increase in the high molecular weight protein components in the film forming solutions.     

Barrier and Tensile Properties of Transglutaminase Cross-linked Gelatin Films as Affected by Relative Humidity, Temperature, and Glycerol Content

Gelatin films were prepared by enzymatic cross-linking with transglutaminase, and their mechanical and barrier properties were evaluated as functions of relative humidity (RH, 30 to 75%), temperature (15 to 35°C) and glycerol content (15 to 31%). Water and glycerol plasticized the films synergistically, resulting in greater elongation but lower tensile strength values. Films with higher glycerol contents exhibited higher moisture contents, indicating higher hydrophilicity of the films. Permeabilities of oxygen and allyl isothiocyanate (an antimicrobial vapor from Cruciferae plants) were low when the films were dry, but increased considerably when RH>50%. Therefore, RH conditions during end-use applications must be considered to optimize the performance of these films.     

三羟甲基丙烷对聚氨酯涂饰剂性能的影响

以三羟甲基丙烷作为交联剂,探讨了三羟甲基丙烷的用量对水性聚氨酯的乳液性能、涂膜吸水率、力学性能及耐黄变性能的影响,并通过差示扫描量热法分析了三羟甲基丙烷的加入对聚氨酯低温性能的影响。结果表明:三羟甲基丙烷的加入可以明显降低聚氨酯涂膜的吸水率,提高其抗张强度,改善其耐黄变性能,也会降低聚氨酯涂膜的断裂伸长率,提高其玻璃化转变温度。     

Extrusion parameters related to starch/chitosan active films properties

Despite the increased use of extrusion technology in the production of biodegradable films, a better understanding of its effects on the several biopolymers is required. Therefore, the influence of extrusion temperature (120, 130 and 140 °C) and screw speed (25, 35 and 45 r.p.m.) on the properties of an active film formulated with starch, chitosan and oregano essential oil was investigated. Mechanical and barrier properties, apparent opacity and blow‐up ratio (BUR) of films were determined. The increase in screw speed had a positive effect on BUR and water vapour permeability (WVP) and a negative effect on opacity, tensile strength and elongation at break of the films. Low die temperatures resulted in decreased tensile strength, elongation at break, Young’s modulus and WVP of the films. Sorption isotherms of films were directly influenced by the extrusion conditions and films produced at 130 °C and 35 r.p.m. were less hydrophilic.     

Properties of filmogenic solutions of gliadin crosslinked with 1-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimidehydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide and cysteine

In this study gliadin solutions were crosslinked with 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS) and cysteine. The filmogenic solutions were studied through rheological, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and FTIR analysis. Gliadin modified by EDC/NHS showed lower viscosity values when compared with the gliadin/cysteine system and the non-modified gliadin system. Determination of amino groups in gliadin modified by EDC/NHS was carried out through the trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) method. The cast films were evaluated by FTIR analysis in order to detect structural changes in the secondary structure of protein. SDS-PAGE showed the formation of higher protein aggregates, indicating that cysteine promotes gliadin polymerization through covalent bonds (disulfide bonds). The TNBS analysis showed that non-chemically modified gliadin had higher amounts of ε-amino groups when compared with gliadin treated with EDC/NHS; however, both systems revealed similar amounts of amino groups for the whole range of glycerol content. The FTIR spectra for the films showed that the two crosslinking agents act by different mechanisms, promoting changes in the secondary structure of gliadin.     

Physicochemical and Engineering Properties of Nanocomposite Films Based on Chitosan and Pseudoboehmite Alumina

Chitosan-based nanocomposite plastic films were developed by adding 0, 1, 3, and 5 % boehmite alumina (BAH) nanoparticles as a percentage of chitosan powder weight. The films were cast via solution. The effect of BAH content on the physicochemical and engineering properties of the resultant films were determined. The swelling, water vapor adsorption capacity, and transparency were significantly reduced with increased BAH content. The stability of the films against microbial degradation under high relative humidity also increased with BAH content. The water vapor permeability (WVP) reduced with increased temperature giving rise to negative activation energy values, which ranged between 2.08 and 3.36 kJ/mol. However, at constant temperature, inclusion of BAH did not have significant effect on water vapor permeability (WVP). WVP was predicted to high accuracy (r ²?=?0.984) using a full quadratic regression model. All the films had similar tensile and thermal behaviors. The implications of the findings are discussed based on prospective applications of the biodegradable film especially for fresh produce packaging.