Soy protein biopolymers cross-linked with glutaraldehyde

Biopolymers from soy protein isolate (SPI) crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GA) were prepared, Surface hydrophobicities of SPI-GA biopolymers and SPI were 4.4 and 11.5, respectively. The solubility profile of SPI was slightly higher than that of SPI-GA biopolymers. Foaming capacities of SPI-GA biopolymers (23 mL) were higher than that of SPI (19 mt), but similar to egg white (22 mL). Foaming stabilities of SPI-GA biopolymers (120 min) were significantly higher than those of SPI (40 min) and egg white (98 min). The emulsifying properties of SPI-GA biopolymers were lower than those of SPI and bovine serum albumin(P > 0.05), Tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (ETB) of SPI-GA biopolymer films were significantly higher than those of glycerol-plasticized soy protein films. TS and ETB of SPI-GA biopolymer films increased with increasing GA concentrations. GA treatment intensified yellowness of SPI-GA biopolymer films. SPI-GA biopolymers may have potential use for biodegradable packaging materials.