Optimization of the Physical, Optical and Mechanical Properties of Composite Edible Films of Gelatin, Whey Protein and Chitosan

• Published in: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2022-01, Vol.27 (3), p.869
• Main Authors: Herrera-Vázquez, Selene Elizabeth, Dublán-García, Octavio, Arizmendi-Cotero, Daniel, Gómez-Oliván, Leobardo Manuel, Islas-Flores, Hariz, Hernández-Navarro, María Dolores, Ramírez-Durán, Ninfa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodegradation; By products; Chitosan; chitosan (C); Chitosan - chemistry; composite edible film; Edible Films; Food; Food industry; food packaging; Food packaging industry; Gelatin; gelatin (G); Gelatin - chemistry; Independent variables; Mathematical models; Mechanical properties; Multiple regression analysis; Optimization; Packaging materials; Permeability; Polymers; Prediction models; Proteins; Response surface methodology; Solubility; Steam; surface response methodology (SRM); Viscosity; Water vapor; Whey; Whey protein; whey protein (W); Whey Proteins - chemistry
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030869

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the concentration of gelatin (G) (3-6 g), whey protein (W) (2.5-7.5 g) and chitosan (C) (0.5-2.5 g) on the physical, optical and mechanical properties of composite edible films (CEFs) using the response surface methodology (RSM), as well as optimizing the formulation for the packaging of foods. The results of the study were evaluated via first- and second-order multiple regression analysis to obtain the determination coefficient values with a good fit (R ˃ 0.90) for each of the response variables, except for the values of solubility and b*. The individual linear effect of the independent variables (the concentrations of gelatin, whey protein and chitosan) significantly affected ( ≤ 0.05) the water vapor permeability (WVP), strength and solubility of the edible films. The WVP of the edible films varied from 0.90 to 1.62 × 10 g.m/Pa.s.m , the resistance to traction varied from 0.47 MPa to 3.03 MPa and the solubility varied from 51.06% to 87%. The optimized values indicated that the CEF prepared with a quantity of 4 g, 5 g and 3 g of gelatin, whey protein and chitosan, respectively, provided the CEF with a smooth, continuous and transparent surface, with L values that resulted in a light-yellow hue, a lower WVP, a maximum strength (resistance to traction) and a lower solubility. The results revealed that the optimized formulation of the CEF of G-W-C allowed a good validation of the prediction model and could be applied, in an effective manner, to the food packaging industry, which could help in mitigating the environmental issues associated with synthetic packaging materials.