Effect of biofibers addition on the structure and properties of soy protein composite films.

Soy protein isolate (SPI) has garnered researchers' attention due to its abundance, costeffectiveness, excellent biocompatibility, hemo-compatibility, and biodegradability. However, SPI faces limitations in application due to poor processability and weak mechanical strength. Substantial efforts have been made to address these challenges. In this preliminary study, glycerol and biofibers were added to SPI to improve the mechanical properties and film forming, and glyoxal was employed to crosslink SPI molecules. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the resulting SPI/composite films were evaluated. A 15% addition of glycerol proved sufficient for good film formation. Among the biofibers, short SF microfibers were the most effective in enhancing breaking strength, while TEMPO-oxidized CNF (cellulose nanofiber) excelled among CNFs. Crosslinking with glyoxal significantly enhanced the mechanical properties, with the type of biofiber minimally affecting the mechanical properties of the crosslinked SPI composite films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]