Characterization of whey protein-based films incorporated with natamycin and nanoemulsion of α-tocopherol

Abstract

Food packaging materials are commonly derived from petroleum that increases global contamination; this raises the interest to evaluate raw material from renewable sources such as whey protein for the development of packaging materials, especially to produce active films. This research aimed to evaluate whey protein-based film properties when natamycin, nanoemulsioned α-tocopherol, or both were added. An oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsion of antioxidant (α-tocopherol) was prepared by microfluidization technique. Four films were prepared with different levels of natamycin and nanoemulsified α-tocopherol and were characterized in terms of physicochemical, mechanical, optical-properties, water vapor barrier, FTIR, microstructure, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The natamycin, nanoemulsified α-tocopherol, or both did not modify the moisture content of the films. Moreover lead to a significant reduction of tensile strength and elastic modulus, while presenting growth in the elongation at break. Film opacity, the total color difference, the UV-Vis light barrier, and the water vapor permeability values increased when compounds were incorporated into the film. The microstructure studies showed uniformly distributed porosity throughout the films. The addition of nanoemulsioned α-tocopherol into whey protein-based films provoked antioxidant activity and the addition of natamycin produced films with effectivity against C. albicans, P. chrysogenum, and S. cerevisiae, allowing develop a material appropriate for use as active food packaging.

Bi‐layer gelatin active films with “Pitanga” leaf hydroethanolic extract and/or natamycin in the second layer

“…15 In the visible light domain, only bi-layered films containing NA (GNA and GNAE) presented a moderated barrier (T =~50%) to light; G and GE films presented a low barrier (T > 80%) (Figure 3). Similar behavior was observed by Agudelo-Cuartas et al, 26 who worked on WCP based films containing NA and nanoemulsified α-tocopherol. Chakravartula et al 13 also observed a fantastic effect of NA on a visible light barrier of films based on cassava starch/chitosan.…”

“…Regarding bi-layer films SW, the addition of PLHE to the second layer of film (GE) did not provoke significant differences compared to the control films; however, the addition of Na to the second layer of the films increased their solubility from 37.6 ± 3.6% (G) to 45.9 ± 3.5% (GNA) (Table 1), which could be attributed to the release of NA during water immersion. 25 Conversely, Agudelo-Cuartas et al 26 did not observe any effect of NA on SW of WCP films, which was higher (~59%) than those determined in this work (Table 1).…”

“…Contrarily, Chakravartula et al 13 observed that NA and/or PLHE provoked a decrease in starch/ chitosan film's MC, which was assigned to a substitution of the glycerol (a very hygroscopic compound) by bioactive compounds (less hygroscopic than glycerol). 13 Nevertheless, Agudelo-Cuartas et al 26 observed that NA provoked an increase in MC of films based on whey concentrate proteins (WCP).…”

Polysaccharide and Protein Films with Antimicrobial/Antioxidant Activity in the Food Industry: A Review

“…Films with natamycin do not have antioxidant properties, while films with natamycin and α-tocopherol have a lower activity than films with α-tocopherol. Such results may be attributed to the antagonistic effects of these two agents [45]. Analogous results were observed in the study of cassava starch-chitosan films with pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) leaf extract (PE) and/or natamycin (NA).…”

Development, Characterization, and Immunomodulatory Evaluation of Carvacrol-loaded Nanoemulsion

“…The advantages of this system include the enhancement of the solubility and bioavailability of lipophilic molecules (e.g., CV), controlled drug release, and protection from enzymatic degradation [ 18 , 19 ]. Nanoemulsions can be produced using different methodologies, including high-energy methods such as high-pressure homogenization, ultrasonication, and microfluidization [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”