Solubility and moisture sorption isotherms of whey-protein-based edible films as influenced by lipid and plasticizer incorporation

Plasticized whey-protein and whey-protein emulsion films were produced using sorbitol and glycerol as plasticizers and butterfat and candelilla wax as lipids. Protein, plasticizer, and lipid ratios were optimized to obtain acceptable free-standing flexible films. Water solubility (20 degreesC, 24 h) and moisture sorption isotherms (0.18-0.90 a(w), 25 degreesC) of the films were determined. The experimental moisture sorption isotherm values were fitted using the Guggenheim-Anderson-DeBoer (GAB) model. Solubility and equilibrium moisture contents (EMC) of the films were influenced by plasticizer and lipid incorporation. EMCs of all films increased rapidly at a(w) greater than or equal to 0.65. Incorporation of lipids reduced solubilities and EMCs of sorbitol- and glycerol-plasticized films. The effects of plasticizer and lipid type on GAB constants were also determined.