Film Extrusion of <em>Crambe abyssinica</em>/Wheat Gluten Blends

Abstract

Crambe abyssinica is a plant with potential for use in industrial (non-food) plant oil production. The side stream from this oil production is a high-protein crambe meal that has limited value, as it is not fit for food or feed use. However, it contains proteins that could potentially make it a suitable raw material for higher-value products. The purpose of this study was to find methods of making this side stream into extruded films, showing that products with a higher value can be produced. The study mainly considered the development of material compositions and methods of preparing and extruding the material. Wheat gluten was added as a supportive protein matrix material, together with glycerol as a plasticizer and urea as a denaturant. The extrudate was evaluated with respect to mechanical (tensile testing) and oxygen barrier properties, and the extrudate structure was revealed visually and by scanning electron microscopy. A denser, more homogeneous material had a lower oxygen transmission rate, higher strength, and higher extensibility. The most homogeneous films were made at an extruder die temperature of 125-130 °C. It is shown here that a film can be extruded with promising mechanical and oxygen barrier properties, the latter especially after a final compression molding step.

Modeling to Understand Plant Protein Structure-Function Relationships—Implications for Seed Storage Proteins

“…Thus, modeling these proteins is extremely difficult and requires a large amount of computer power. However, the storage proteins of cereals are highly useful and important: (i) as a storage resource for the plant to regenerate itself [7]; and (ii) for human [7] and animal [121] food and feed purposes; and are potentially useful in (iii) non-food applications, such as replacement of petroleum-based plastics [10,122]. A clear structure-function relationship has been demonstrated between the formation of protein structures during processing and the functionality of products produced from cereal storage proteins [123,124].…”

Green Chemistry to Modify Functional Properties of Crambe Protein Isolate-Based Thermally Formed Films

“…Thus, novel protein-based materials are of emerging importance. However, protein-based materials developed directly from the crambe meal have until now showed poor performance, although blends with wheat gluten have shown some promise. , The crambe seed shares the main storage protein groups of other brassicas, i.e., their proteins consist of cruciferin (12S globulin) and napin (2S albumin). , Previous studies on thermal processing of proteins from crambe have shown that cruciferin-rich fractions have a substantial ability to aggregate on heating, while the napin fraction is resistant to aggregation at a process temperature of 130 °C …”

Preparation of Polyurethane Monolithic Resins and Modification with a Condensed Tannin-Yielding Self-Healing Property

“…Crambe oil from Crambe abyssinica plant fills these characteristics and is composed of different fatty acids, with specific properties, which are absent in other raw materials, being considered biocompatible and biodegradable [14,15]. Crambe abyssinica is a plant that can also provide a suitable raw material for higher-value products, such a, polymers, polymer additives, surfactants, personal care products and pharmaceuticals [16,17,18]. Castor oil is inherent biodegradable, of low cost, almost non-toxic, industrially [14,15] favorable, and easily available [19,20].…”