title: The improvement of characteristics of biodegradable films made from kefiran-whey protein by nanoparticle incorporation.
abstract: Biodegradable kefiran-whey protein isolate (WPI) nanocomposites were produced using montmorillonite (MMT) and nano-TiO2 as nanoparticles in the percentage of 1, 3, and 5% (w/w) by a casting and solvent-evaporation method. Physical, mechanical, and water-vapor permeability (WVP) properties were determined as a function of nanoparticle concentration. The results revealed that the effect of these nanoparticles was different according to their nature and percentage. The films incorporated with 5% (w/w) MMT showed the highest tensile strength, Young's modulus, puncture strength, and the lowest WVP compared with the control and TiO2 added films. In contrast to MMT, addition of TiO2 nanoparticles due to the plasticizing effect led to a significant change in color and transparency of nanocomposite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations demonstrated the films' properties in relation to their microstructures. The surface topography results also showed a considerable increase in roughness parameters by incorporating the nanoparticles in kefiran-WPI matrix.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Engineering & Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 4111, Karaj 31587-77871, Iran. Electronic address: pardis.ut@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zolfi
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Engineering & Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 4111, Karaj 31587-77871, Iran. Electronic address: khodaiyan@ut.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Faramarz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Khodaiyan
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Engineering & Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 4111, Karaj 31587-77871, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mousavi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbial Biotechnology & Biosafety, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), Karaj, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hashemi
mesh_terms: D063566:Biodegradable Plastics / Q000737:chemistry*; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010539:Permeability; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength; D000067816:Whey Proteins
chemical_list: D063566:Biodegradable Plastics; D008894:Milk Proteins; D011134:Polysaccharides; D000067816:Whey Proteins; C050180:kefir grain polysaccharide
keywords: Biodegradable film; Food packaging; Kefiran; Nanoparticles; Whey protein isolate