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The ability of whey protein films to act as an antimicrobial carrier was assessed and the effect of film composition on perspective diffusion is examined. The effects of glycerol and beeswax (BW) contents on the diffusion of potassium sorbate and natamycin in whey protein films are discussed.

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical properties of whey protein isolate (WPI) coating solution incorporating ascorbic palmitate (AP) and α-tocopherol (tocopherol) were characterized, and the antioxidant activity of dried WPI coatings against lipid oxidation in roasted peanuts were investigated. The AP and tocopherol were mixed into a 10% (w/w) WPI solution containing 6.7% glycerol. Process 1 (P1) blended an AP and tocopherol mixture directly into the WPI solution using a high-speed homogenizer. Process 2 (P2) used ethanol as a solvent for dissolving AP and tocopherol into the WPI solution. The viscosity and turbidity of the WPI coating solution showed the Newtonian fluid behavior, and 0.25% of critical concentration of AP in WPI solution rheology. After peanuts were coated with WPI solutions, color changes of peanuts were measured during 16 wk of storage at 25 °C, and the oxidation of peanuts was determined by hexanal analysis using solid-phase micro-extraction samplers and GC-MS. Regardless of the presence of antioxidants in the coating layer, the formation of hexanal from the oxidation of peanut lipids was reduced by WPI coatings, which indicates WPI coatings protected the peanuts from oxygen permeation and oxidation. However, the incorporation of antioxidants in the WPI coating layer did not show a significant difference in hexanal production from that of WPI coating treatment without incorporation of antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, chitosan nanoparticles were prepared and incorporated in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) films under different conditions. Mechanical properties, water vapor and oxygen permeability, water solubility, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) results were analyzed. Incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles in the films improved their mechanical properties significantly, while also improving film barrier properties significantly. The chitosan poly(methacrylic acid) (CS-PMAA) nanoparticles tend to occupy the empty spaces in the pores of the HPMC matrix, inducing the collapse of the pores and thereby improving film tensile and barrier properties. This study is the first to investigate the use of nanoparticles for the purpose of strengthening HPMC films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of glycerol and moisture contents on the thermal transitions of whey protein isolate (WPI) powder–glycerol–water mixtures were studied. Mixtures with ratios of 100:0, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50 WPI:glycerol on a dry basis (db) were preconditioned to 0.34 ± 0.01 (25.4 ± 0.4 °C) and 0.48 ± 0.02 (25.9 ± 2.2 °C) water activity. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed the existence of an endothermic peak starting at 148.3 ± 0.7 °C for 100% WPI preconditioned to a water activity of 0.34 ± 0.01. The onset temperature of this peak decreased with addition and increase of glycerol content, as well as with the increase in water activity from 0.34 ± 0.01 to 0.48 ± 0.02. An additional endothermic transition, important for extruding the mixtures into flexible sheets, occurred in mixtures containing 50% glycerol db, preconditioned to 0.48 ± 0.02 water activity. The onset temperature of the peak was 146 ± 2.0 °C. Whey protein-based sheets containing 45.8%, 48.8%, and 51.9% glycerol db were obtained using a Haake–Leistritz corotating twin-screw extruder. All samples were obtained at a screw speed of 250 rpm and a final barrel-temperature profile of 20, 20, 20, 80, 110, and 130 °C. Melt temperature at the time of sheet formation was 143 to 150 °C. Average thickness of the sheets was 1.31 ± 0.02 mm. Samples with 45.8% glycerol db had significantly higher tensile strength (TS) than samples with higher glycerol contents. Also, as glycerol concentration increased, sheet elastic modulus (EM) decreased significantly ( P≤ 0.05). Extrusion of whey protein-based sheets is an important step toward extrusion of thinner edible films for food wraps, layers, or pouches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing interest in high-quality food products with increased shelf life and reduced environmental impact has encouraged the study and development of edible and/or biodegradable polymer films and coatings. Edible films provide the opportunity to effectively control mass transfer among different components in a food or between the food and its surrounding environment. The diversity of proteins that results from an almost limitless number of side-chain amino-acid sequential arrangements allows for a wide range of interactions and chemical reactions to take place as proteins denature and cross-link during heat processing. Proteins such as wheat gluten, corn zein, soy protein, myofibrillar proteins, and whey proteins have been successfully formed into films using thermoplastic processes such as compression molding and extrusion. Thermoplastic processing can result in a highly efficient manufacturing method with commercial potential for large-scale production of edible films due to the low moisture levels, high temperatures, and short times used. Addition of water, glycerol, sorbitol, sucrose, and other plasticizers allows the proteins to undergo the glass transition and facilitates deformation and processability without thermal degradation. Target film variables, important in predicting biopackage performance under various conditions, include mechanical, thermal, barrier, and microstructural properties. Comparisons of film properties should be made with care since results depend on parameters such as film-forming materials, film formulation, fabrication method, operating conditions, testing equipment, and testing conditions. Film applications include their use as wraps, pouches, bags, casings, and sachets to protect foods, reduce waste, and improve package recyclability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complete peanut-surface coverage and strong adhesion are necessary for whey protein-based oxygen barrier coatings to be totally effective in reducing the oxidative rancidity of peanuts. Peanuts coated with a fluidized-bed coating system attained practically complete coverage, and coating efficiency results were consistent and reproducible. Addition of surfactant to the coating solution improved whey protein coating efficiency on blanched/roasted peanuts coated with a bench-scale fluidized-bed coating system. A lower level of surfactant addition to the coating solution was required to attain complete coverage, compared with previous studies on dip coating and pan coating of peanuts. Addition of surfactant to the coating solution and peanut preroughening both imparted good coating adhesion for fluidized-bed-coated peanuts. Compared with pan coating, fluidized-bed coating required application of a greater amount of coating solution because of the loss of coating solution to the fluidized-bed column wall during spraying. Overall, fluidized-bed coating required a shorter processing time and provided the peanuts with better coating efficiency and adhesion. These results suggest that a fluidized-bed coating system is a viable alternative coating process for whey protein coating of peanuts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whey-protein-isolate coating on paper produced a smooth surface, which was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Increasing coating weight decreased the breaking stress and the Young's modulus. However, the maximum breaking strain was not affected by coating weight. Tearing strength was not changed by WPI coating. The coated paper was slightly darkened with a small reduction of L value, but the a and b values were not changed significantly. WPI coating made the coated paper slightly shiny with increased gloss. Thus, with the exception of about 12% reduction in breaking stress for 10 g/m² coated paper, WPI coating did not change the mechanical and optical properties of the paper markedly. WPI coating significantly reduced the rate of oil contact angle decrease on paper associated with off absorption by paper. Therefore, WPI coating improves packaging material performance of paper by increasing oil resistance without significant change of optical and mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yellowing rates of edible coatings were determined at 23, 40, and 55 °C at 75% relative humidity (RH). Whey protein isolate (WPI) coatings had lower yellowing rates than whey protein concentrate (WPC) and the same rates as shellac coatings. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) coatings had the lowest yellowing rates. Zein coatings became less yellow during storage; however, their color was still pronounced. Activation energies and Q10 values for the yellowing of whey protein coatings were similar to those previously reported for the browning of whey powder. The results indicate that WPI coatings can be used in place of shellac coatings when low-color development is desired. WPC coatings can be used to tailor color development of a food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 WVR 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-based whey protein isolate (WPI) coatings had the same gloss as shellac and zein coatings cast from ethanol solutions and water-based tapioca dextrin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) coatings. For lipid dispersion coatings, the particle size of the dispersed phased influenced gloss values. WPI coatings had stable gloss values at 52%, 75%, and 95% relative humidity (RH). At 95% RH, shellac and zein coatings "blushed," and both dextrin and HPMC coatings became tacky. WPI and shellac films maintained a high gloss after 7.6 mo of storage at 23 °C and 75% RH and had higher gloss than whey protein concentrate (WPC) and HPMC coatings. The type and level of surfactant added to WPI coatings greatly influenced gloss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antioxidants (ascorbyl palmitate and α-tocopherol) were incorporated into 10% (w/w) whey protein isolate (WPI) coating solution containing 6.67% (w/w) glycerol (WPI:glycerol = 6:4). Before incorporation, the antioxidants were mixed using either powder blending (Process 1) or ethanol solvent-mixing (Process 2). After the antioxidant mixtures were incorporated into heat-denatured WPI solution, viscosity and turbidity of the WPI solutions were determined. The WPI solutions were dried on a flat surface to produce WPI films. The WPI films were examined to determine transparency and oxygen-barrier properties (permeability, diffusivity, and solubility). WPI solution containing antioxidants produced by Process 1 and Process 2 did not show any difference in viscosity and turbidity, but viscosity was greater for the WPI solution with rather than without antioxidants. WPI films produced by Process 2 were more transparent than the films produced by Process 1. Oxygen permeability of Process 1 film was lower than Process 2 film. However, both the diffusivity and solubility of oxygen were statistically the same in Process 1 and Process 2 films. Both control WPI films and antioxidant-containing WPI films had very low oxygen solubility, comparable to polyethylene terephthalate films. Permeability of antioxidant-incorporated films was not enhanced compared to control WPI films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical properties of whey protein isolate (WPI) coating solution incorporating ascorbic palmitate (AP) and alpha-tocopherol (tocopherol) were characterized, and the antioxidant activity of dried WPI coatings against lipid oxidation in roasted peanuts were investigated. The AP and tocopherol were mixed into a 10% (w/w) WPI solution containing 6.7% glycerol. Process 1 (P1) blended an AP and tocopherol mixture directly into the WPI solution using a high-speed homogenizer. Process 2 (P2) used ethanol as a solvent for dissolving AP and tocopherol into the WPI solution. The viscosity and turbidity of the WPI coating solution showed the Newtonian fluid behavior, and 0.25% of critical concentration of AP in WPI solution rheology. After peanuts were coated with WPI solutions, color changes of peanuts were measured during 16 wk of storage at 25 degrees C, and the oxidation of peanuts was determined by hexanal analysis using solid-phase micro-extraction samplers and GC-MS. Regardless of the presence of antioxidants in the coating layer, the formation of hexanal from the oxidation of peanut lipids was reduced by WPI coatings, which indicates WPI coatings protected the peanuts from oxygen permeation and oxidation. However, the incorporation of antioxidants in the WPI coating layer did not show a significant difference in hexanal production from that of WPI coating treatment without incorporation of antioxidants.

As U.S. dairy farms continue to become more productive, increasing demand is a key to improved economic prospects for the dairy industry. One way to expand demand for dairy products is to find new, economically viable uses for milk. Ex ante economic analysis of new uses for agricultural products anticipates the potential market effects of innovations, and provides a basis for evaluating investment in research and development and setting research priorities. This study evaluated potential economic effects of new applications of films and coatings made from whey protein. An economic simulation model was used to predict the likely effects of the innovations on dairy markets. Cost comparisons with existing technologies and interviews with industry officials were the basis for evaluating potential for commercial adoption of the innovations. The economic simulation model traces the projected increased demand for whey through the markets for dairy products and milk. The associated increased demand for milk could result in benefits to U.S. milk producers of $123.0 million in present value terms, compared to a research cost of $ 4.9 million, with the dairy industry, consumers, and taxpayers all contributing. Interpreting the cost of the research program as an investment on behalf of milk producers, the benefits to producers from development of new whey uses represent an annual rate of return between 28 and 33%. These results are useful for evaluating further investment in the whey research program. The methods illustrated here are applicable to the evaluation of a wide range of research and promotion efforts.

Lipid particle size effects on water vapor permeability (WVP) and mechanical properties of whey protein isolate (WPI)/beeswax (BW) emulsion films were investigated. Emulsion films containing 20 and 60% BW (dry basis) and mean lipid particle sizes ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 microm were prepared. BW particle size effects on WVP and mechanical properties were observed only in films containing 60% BW. WVP of these films decreased as lipid particle size decreased. As drying temperature increased, film WVPs decreased significantly. Meanwhile, tensile strength and elongation increased as BW particle size decreased. However, for 20% BW emulsion films, properties were not affected by lipid particle size. Results suggest that increased protein-lipid interactions at the BW particle interfaces, as particle size decreased and resulting interfacial area increased, result in stronger films with lower WVPs. Observing this effect depends on a large lipid content within the protein matrix. At low lipid content, the effect of interactions at the protein-lipid interfaces is not observed, due to the presence of large protein-matrix regions of the film without lipid, which are not influenced by protein-lipid interactions.

Plasticizer effect on oxygen permeability (OP) of beta-lactoglobulin (beta-Lg) films was studied. Propylene glycol (PG), glycerol (Gly), sorbitol (Sor), sucrose (Suc), and polyethylene glycol at MW 200 and 400 (PEG 200 and PEG 400, respectively) were studied due to their differences in composition, shape, and size. Suc-plasticized beta-Lg films gave the best oxygen barrier (OP < 0.05 cm3 x microm/m2 x day x kPa). Gly- and PG-plasticized films had similar OP values, and both had higher OP than Sor-plasticized films. PEG 200- and PEG 400-plasticized films were the poorest oxygen barriers. Empirical equations including plasticizer efficiencies for OP were employed to elucidate the relationships between OP of plasticized beta-Lg films and plasticizer type and content. Plasticizer efficiency ratios between mechanical and OP properties of beta-Lg films show the relative efficiency of plasticizers in modifying mechanical and OP properties. A large ratio is desirable.