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- Features and performance of edible films, obtained from whey protein isolate formulated with antimicrobial compoundsPublication . Ramos, Óscar L.; Silva, Sara I.; Soares, José C.; Fernandes, João C.; Poças, M. Fátima; Pintado, Manuela E.; Malcata, F. XavierThe goal of this research effort was to assess the efficacy of edible films produced fromwhey protein isolate (WPI) and glycerol, including incorporation of lactic acid (LA) and propionic acid (PRO), chitooligosaccharideswith nominal MW of 3 kDa (COS) and natamycin (NA) as antimicrobial agents. Their features were evaluated in vitro via agar diffusion and viable cell counting, against spoilage microflora often found contaminating cheese surfaces. The effect of incorporating the aforementioned compounds upon thickness, moisture content (MC), solubility (S), density (ρs),water activity (aw) and water vapor permeability (WVP), as well as upon tensile and optical properties of those films were also evaluated. Films formulated with LA, PRO or COS exhibited antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms tested, yet the viable cell count assay was more sensitive and reproducible. COS was the most active against Gram-negative bacteria, whereas LA was the most active against Gram-positive ones. NA was not active against bacteria, but displayed the strongest effect against yeasts. Incorporation of said antimicrobial compounds did not significantly (pN0.05) affect film thickness, yet it significantly (pb0.05) reduced tensile strength (TS). Incorporation of LA and NA in particular did not significantly (pb0.05) affect MC, S, ρs, WVP, elongation at break (EB) and Young's modulus (YM) values; however, a statistically significant increase (pb0.05) of MC, S andWVP, together with a statistically significant decrease (pb0.05) of ρs were attained upon incorporation of PRO or COS. Moreover, PRO produced the highest variation (pb0.05) in EB, TS and YM,whereas COS produced the highest change (pb0.05) in optical properties.
- Effect of composition of commercial whey protein preparations upon gelation at various pH valuesPublication . Ramos, Óscar S.; Pereira, Joana O.; Silva, Sara I.; Amorim, Maria M.; Fernandes, João C.; Lopes-da-Silva, José A.; Pintado, Manuela E.; Malcata, F. XavierThe major goal of this research effort was to comprehensively characterize various whey protein products available in the market — including one whey protein isolate (WPI) and three whey protein concentrates (two forms of WPC 80, and WPC 50), with regard to the effects of specific components (e.g. lecithin and minerals) and concentration of β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) and α-lactalbumin upon thermal and gelation properties at various pH values (using micro differential scanning calorimetry, μDSC, and oscillatory rheometry). At pH values far from the isoelectric point of whey proteins, denaturation and aggregation appeared as one single endothermic peak in the corresponding μDSC heating thermograms, for WPI and both WPC 80; however, they appeared as separate transitions at pH 5. Acidic conditions increased the temperature of occurrence of the dominant endothermic transition associated to β-Lg, thus increasing the thermal stability of WPI, WPC 80A and WPC 80B. Gelation took place at the lowest temperature when pH was set at 5. WPI, WPC 80A and WPC 80B exhibited the highest G′ values at pH 5 — whereas WPI led to stronger gels than WPC, irrespective of pH. In the case of WPC 50, gelation did not occur at all.
- Effect of whey protein purity and glycerol content upon physical properties of edible films manufactured therefromPublication . Ramos, Óscar L.; Reinas, Isabel; Silva, Sara I.; Fernandes, João C.; Cerqueira, Miguel A.; Pereira, Ricardo N.; Vicente, António A.; Poças, M. Fátima; Pintado, Manuela E.; Malcata, F. XavierThis manuscript describes the detailed characterization of edible films made from two different protein products e whey protein isolate (WPI) and whey protein concentrate (WPC), added with three levels of glycerol (Gly) e i.e. 40, 50 and 60%(w/w). The molecular structure, as well as barrier, tensile, thermal, surface and optical properties of said films were determined, in attempts to provide a better understanding of the effects of proteinaceous purity and Gly content of the feedstock. WPI films exhibited statistically lower (p < 0.05) moisture content (MC), film solubility (S), water activity, water vapor permeability (WVP), oxygen and carbon dioxide permeabilities (O2P and CO2P, respectively) and color change values, as well as statistically higher (p < 0.05) density, surface hydrophobicity, mechanical resistance, elasticity, extensibility and transparency values than their WPC counterparts, for the same content of Gly. These results are consistent with data from thermal and FTIR analyses. Furthermore, a significant increase (p < 0.05) was observed in MC, S, WVP, O2P, CO2P, weight loss and extensibility of both protein films when the Gly content increased; whereas a significant decrease (p < 0.05) was observed in thermal features, as well as in mechanical resistance and elasticity e thus leading to weaker films. Therefore, fundamental elucidation was provided on the features of WPI and WPC germane to food packaging e along with suggestions to improve the most critical ones, i.e. extensibility and WVP.
- Edible films and coatings from whey proteins: a review on formulation, and on mechanical and bioactive propertiesPublication . Ramos, Óscar L.; Fernandes, João C.; Silva, Sara I.; Pintado, Manuela E.; Malcata, F. XavierThe latest decade has witnessed joint efforts by the packaging and the food industries to reduce the amount of residues and wastes associated with food consumption. The recent increase in environmental awareness has also contributed toward development of edible packaging materials. Viable edible films and coatings have been successfully produced from whey proteins; their ability to serve other functions, viz. carrier of antimicrobials, antioxidants, or other nutraceuticals, without significantly compromising the desirable primary barrier and mechanical properties as packaging films, will add value for eventual commercial applications. These points are tackled in this review, in a critical manner. The supply of whey protein-based films and coatings, formulated to specifically address end-user needs, is also considered.
- Antimicrobial activity of edible coatings prepared from whey protein isolate and formulated with various antimicrobial agentsPublication . Ramos, Óscar S.; Santos, Arménia C.; Leão, Mariana V.; Pereira, Joana O.; Silva, Sara I.; Fernandes, João C.; Franco, M. Isabel; Pintado, Manuela E.; Malcata, F. XavierUsing in vitro tests, the efficacy of edible coatings, made using whey protein isolates as a base material and glycerol as a plasticizer, and containing several antimicrobial compounds was assessed upon ubiquitous spoilage microflora in cheese. The formulation that showed the greatest activity was applied onto the surface of experimental cheeses, and their major microbiological and physicochemical features were compared with those of cheese added withcommercial coatings. Chitooligosaccharide (COS) and lactic acid exhibited the highest (P < 0.05) bacteriocidal effect against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively, whereas sodium benzoate and COS exhibited the highest (P< 0.05) inhibitory effect against the yeast. Combinations of lactic acid and COS yielded the highest (P < 0.05) effect against all microorganisms tested; upon application on the cheese surface, they proved to be more active against bacteria, and less effective against yeasts and moulds (P < 0.05) than their commercial coating counterparts.