title: Preparation and Characterization of Nanocomposites from Whey Protein Concentrate Activated with Lycopene.
abstract: The production and characterization of nanocomposites based on whey protein concentrate (WPC) and montmorilonite (MMT) incorporated with lycopene as a functional substance is presented and discussed as an alternative biomaterial for potential uses in foodstuff applications. A full factorial design with varying levels of MMT (0% and 2% in w/w) and lycopene (0%, 6%, and 12% in w/w) was used. Color, light transmission, film transparency, moisture, density, solubility, water vapor permeability, and antioxidant activity of the resulting materials were evaluated. Results indicated that lycopene and MMT nanoparticles were successfully included in WPC films using the casting/evaporation method. Inclusion of 2% w/w of MMT in the polymeric matrix significantly improved barrier property against water vapor. Lycopene, besides its good red coloring ability, provided to the films antioxidant activity and UV-vis light protection. These findings open a new perspective for the use of materials for bioactive packaging applications.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Food Science, Federal Univ. of Lavras, Lavras (MG), Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafaela Corrêa
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Food Science, Federal Univ. of Lavras, Lavras (MG), Brazil.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Deus Souza Carneiro
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Food Science, Federal Univ. of Lavras, Lavras (MG), Brazil.
authors.forename: Soraia Vilela
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.affiliation: Embrapa Instrumentation (CNPDIA), São Carlos (SP), Brazil.
authors.forename: Odílio Benedito Garrido
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Assis
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Food Science, Federal Univ. of Lavras, Lavras (MG), Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriela Lara
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Alvarenga
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants; D002338:Carotenoids; D003116:Color; D018857:Food Packaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D000077276:Lycopene; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010539:Permeability; D012995:Solubility; D013227:Steam; D000067796:Whey; D000067816:Whey Proteins
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D013227:Steam; D000067816:Whey Proteins; D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene
keywords: carotenoids; nanotechnology; packaging