Properties of poly(lactide)-whey protein isolate laminated films

摘要

BACKGROUNDThis study aims to examine the feasibility of a novel multi-layer barrier film made entirely from biopolymers, which can be disposed after use in an economically and ecologically acceptable way, by employing mechanical strength and moisture barrier of poly(lactide) (PLA) films and oxygen barrier enhancement of whey protein isolate (WPI) films. The effect of glycerol was also determined. The three-layer films, PLA/WPI/PLA, were compared with those made of linear low-density polyethylene films (LLDPE/WPI/LLDPE). Composite structures of three-layer films obtained by a simple casting method using denatured WPI solution plasticised with glycerol (GLY) at three different ratios of GLY:WPI (1:4, 1:2.5 and 1:1.5). The WPI solution was applied between two base layers of corona-treated PLA or LLDPE films.