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Guangzhou Scikoon Industry Ltd. Co.
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2024 Posters

Protein and Co-Products

Session: Protein and Co-Products Poster Session

Sodium caseinate/TiO2 nanocomposite films for applications in food packaging

Tuesday, April 30, 2024
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM EDT
Plastic materials are used in food packaging for many applications since they increase the shelf life of products by protecting food during storage and transportation. However, the accumulation of plastics is concerning, given the damage they cause to fauna and environment. Different biopolymers were used to formulate edible films, including polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids. Sodium caseinate has been widely used as a food ingredient because of its emulsifier properties and abilities for water and fat-binding, thickening, and gelation. In this study, nanocomposite films containing 2.5 wt % sodium caseinate and 2 wt % glycerol were reinforced with 0.1 or 0.2 wt % nano TiO2 prepared in two forms: spheres and tubes. The effects of nanoreinforcement geometry on mechanical, tensile, barrier, thermogravimetric, and optical properties, and distribution of nanoparticles were described. The interactions among film components were analyzed by FTIR. Addition of nanotubes significantly increased E’ (341 wt %) and E’’ (395 wt %) moduli, the Young modulus E (660 wt %), the residual mass at 500°C (38 wt %), and color change (6.78) compared to control film. The compositional mapping studies showed that spherical nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed between the surfaces of the film while nanotubes were found on the bottom surface. The changes in position of the FTIR spectra signals as compared to pure protein signals indicated strong matrix/reinforcement interactions. In addition, the changes in intensity in 1100, 1033, and 1638 cm-1 FTIR signals suggested formation of a protein/Tween 20 ester. The geometry of reinforcement was highly relevant regarding physical properties, showing nanotubes as being very successful for enhancing tensile properties. The film reinforced with 0.2 % nanotubes showed the strongest protein/glycerol/Tween 20/nanoreinforcement interactions and the best physical properties of all films, being a promising formulation to replace plastics.