Physical and functional characterization of whey protein-lignin biocomposite films for food packaging applications
Whey protein isolate (WPI) and lignin are by-products of the cheese production and pulp and paper industries, respectively. The objective of this work was to analyze the physicochemical and mechanical properties of biodegradable films made from WPI (at different denaturation levels), glycerol, and l...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Future Foods |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666833525000176 |
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| author | Yihong Deng Sierra Kolodjski Grace Lewis Gary Onan Youngmi Kim |
| author_facet | Yihong Deng Sierra Kolodjski Grace Lewis Gary Onan Youngmi Kim |
| author_sort | Yihong Deng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Whey protein isolate (WPI) and lignin are by-products of the cheese production and pulp and paper industries, respectively. The objective of this work was to analyze the physicochemical and mechanical properties of biodegradable films made from WPI (at different denaturation levels), glycerol, and lignin. WPI solutions were subjected to heat treatments at 60 °C, 90 °C, and a 1:1 mixture of 20 °C and 90 °C to induce varying levels of protein denaturation. Films produced at 90 °C, with 88.65 % protein denaturation, exhibited superior mechanical properties and lower water solubility compared to WPI films treated at lower temperatures. Adding lignin enhanced specific film properties: alkaline lignin increased glass transition temperature, opacity, UV blocking capacity, and antioxidant properties, while reducing flexibility. Conversely, lignosulfonate resulted in thicker films and improved UV shielding and antioxidant benefits. Microstructural analysis revealed that uneven lignin dispersion within the film matrix likely limited the overall lignin-induced enhancement of mechanical and barrier properties. These findings show that WPI-lignin films, especially those with optimized lignin dispersion, have potential as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic packaging, providing improved UV protection, antioxidant properties, and mechanical strength. Further research is needed to enhance lignin integration techniques and assess the scalability of these films for industrial use. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cc07ee7cd73e4976bc24628d33ed4d1c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2666-8335 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Future Foods |
| spelling | doaj-art-cc07ee7cd73e4976bc24628d33ed4d1c2025-02-07T04:48:26ZengElsevierFuture Foods2666-83352025-06-0111100554Physical and functional characterization of whey protein-lignin biocomposite films for food packaging applicationsYihong Deng0Sierra Kolodjski1Grace Lewis2Gary Onan3Youngmi Kim4Department of Animal and Food Science, University of Wisconsin – River Falls, River Falls, WI 54022, USADepartment of Animal and Food Science, University of Wisconsin – River Falls, River Falls, WI 54022, USADepartment of Animal and Food Science, University of Wisconsin – River Falls, River Falls, WI 54022, USADepartment of Animal and Food Science, University of Wisconsin – River Falls, River Falls, WI 54022, USADepartment of Agricultural Engineering Technology, University of Wisconsin – River Falls, River Falls, WI 54022, USA; Corresponding author.Whey protein isolate (WPI) and lignin are by-products of the cheese production and pulp and paper industries, respectively. The objective of this work was to analyze the physicochemical and mechanical properties of biodegradable films made from WPI (at different denaturation levels), glycerol, and lignin. WPI solutions were subjected to heat treatments at 60 °C, 90 °C, and a 1:1 mixture of 20 °C and 90 °C to induce varying levels of protein denaturation. Films produced at 90 °C, with 88.65 % protein denaturation, exhibited superior mechanical properties and lower water solubility compared to WPI films treated at lower temperatures. Adding lignin enhanced specific film properties: alkaline lignin increased glass transition temperature, opacity, UV blocking capacity, and antioxidant properties, while reducing flexibility. Conversely, lignosulfonate resulted in thicker films and improved UV shielding and antioxidant benefits. Microstructural analysis revealed that uneven lignin dispersion within the film matrix likely limited the overall lignin-induced enhancement of mechanical and barrier properties. These findings show that WPI-lignin films, especially those with optimized lignin dispersion, have potential as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastic packaging, providing improved UV protection, antioxidant properties, and mechanical strength. Further research is needed to enhance lignin integration techniques and assess the scalability of these films for industrial use.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666833525000176Whey proteinLigninWhey protein filmsBiodegradable filmsFood packagingBiocomposite films |
| spellingShingle | Yihong Deng Sierra Kolodjski Grace Lewis Gary Onan Youngmi Kim Physical and functional characterization of whey protein-lignin biocomposite films for food packaging applications Future Foods Whey protein Lignin Whey protein films Biodegradable films Food packaging Biocomposite films |
| title | Physical and functional characterization of whey protein-lignin biocomposite films for food packaging applications |
| title_full | Physical and functional characterization of whey protein-lignin biocomposite films for food packaging applications |
| title_fullStr | Physical and functional characterization of whey protein-lignin biocomposite films for food packaging applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physical and functional characterization of whey protein-lignin biocomposite films for food packaging applications |
| title_short | Physical and functional characterization of whey protein-lignin biocomposite films for food packaging applications |
| title_sort | physical and functional characterization of whey protein lignin biocomposite films for food packaging applications |
| topic | Whey protein Lignin Whey protein films Biodegradable films Food packaging Biocomposite films |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666833525000176 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yihongdeng physicalandfunctionalcharacterizationofwheyproteinligninbiocompositefilmsforfoodpackagingapplications AT sierrakolodjski physicalandfunctionalcharacterizationofwheyproteinligninbiocompositefilmsforfoodpackagingapplications AT gracelewis physicalandfunctionalcharacterizationofwheyproteinligninbiocompositefilmsforfoodpackagingapplications AT garyonan physicalandfunctionalcharacterizationofwheyproteinligninbiocompositefilmsforfoodpackagingapplications AT youngmikim physicalandfunctionalcharacterizationofwheyproteinligninbiocompositefilmsforfoodpackagingapplications |