Whey Protein Isolate from Milk as an Active Packaging Material​

Abstract

The objective of this study was to optimize the plasticizer glycerol content for developing biodegradable whey protein isolate (WPI) packaging films as the alternative of plastic packaging for protecting the environment and sustainability of the food processing industry. ​

Four different whey protein isolate biodegradable packaging films with the four variations (20, 40, 60 and 80%) of glycerol content in the packaging films were developed.The physicochemical (color, moisture content, water activity and thickness), water update and migration properties of the films were determined and compared those properties among the developed packaging films. ​

The results indicated that 60-80% glycerol content could be used to develop quality whey protein isolate biodegradable packaging films. Whereas 20-40% glycerol content gave the brittle structure of the packaging films. The findings of this study are expected to be beneficial for the whey protein based biodegradable packaging film development as the alternative of plastic packaging.​