Functionalized plastic films from sodium caseinate emulsions: the nano dimension makes the difference

ROBERTO J. CANDAL

Lima

Workshop; International workshop, nanociencias para el medioambiente y salud; 2020

NanoAndes

Development of biodegradable material for packaging based on renewable materials is a challenge for scientist and technologist. Films made from carbohydrates, proteins and other biopolymers obtain from secondary byproducts or even wastes were developed for packaging applications. The incorporation of different functionalities to the films, as antioxidant or bacteriostatic activity, help to improve shelve life of foods. Mechanical properties are close related with polymer microstructure. Incorporation of micro or nanocharges to the polymeric matrix may help to improve physical properties. Films prepared from sodium caseinate solutions (NaCas) using glycerol as plasticizer displayed reasonable good physical properties as to be used in food packaging. NaCas is an emulsifier for preparation of O/W emulsions. From NaCas emulsions it is posible to produced films containing oil drops dispersed in the polymeric matrix. This materials are potentially useful for the incorporation of lipophilic additives into the film. Nano-emulsions are far more stable than conventional emulsions, being potentially more suitable for the preparation of NaCas films with well dispersed oil nanodrops. Microstructural characterization should be performed by X-ray dispersive techniques (as SAXS) in order to determine particle size and distribution. The main objectives of this work are:Development of different approaches for the preparation of NaCas films containing well dispersed oil drops.Reinforcement of the films by incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles.Mechanical and microstructural characterization of the films.Correlation of the structure with films properties.