Whey Protein Coating for Improving Packaging Material Performance

Summary

Packaging is one of largest industries in the world. Therefore, whey protein coating application on packaging materials (paper and plastics) would significantly contribute to consumption of whey protein. Whey protein coating can be used as a packaging component to improve packaging performance and packaged food quality. Whey protein coated paper/paperboard and plastic films will be produced and their physical properties will be determined. Based on the data, the coating process and the laminated structures will be optimized for improving the performance of packaging material. The moisture-, oxygen- and grease-barrier properties of whey-protein-based coatings will be the main focus.

This project will supply necessary knowledge to allow packaging application of whey protein as a coating on paper/paperboard or plastic. Whey-protein-coated paper will be fully compostible. Whey protein coating on plastic has the advantage of being removable by chemical or enzymic means. This provides a means of separating the more inert laminated plastic for recycling of the plastic. Because of the excellent oxygen barrier of whey protein coating, it can provide not only better physical performance of packaging materials and prolonged shelf-life of foods, but also reduce solid waste and improve plastic recycling.

Specific objectives include:

1) Whey protein coating on paper and paperboard to improve packaging material moisture-, oxygen- and grease-barrier properties.

2) Whey protein coating on plastic films to replace plastic oxygen barrier layers in laminated composite films.

Publications

Han, J. H. and J. M. Krochta. 1999. Wetting properties and water vapor permeability of whey-protein-coated paper. Trans. ASAE. 42(5):1375-1382.

Chan, M. A. and J. M. Krochta. 2001. Grease and oxyen barrier properties of whey-protein-isolate coated paperboard. (TAPPI). Oct. 2001, 57.

Chan, M. A. and J. M. Krochta. 2001. Color and gloss of whey-protein-isolate coated paperboard. (TAPPI) . Oct. 2001, 58.

Han, J. H. and J. M. Krochta. 2001.Physical properties and oil absorption of whey-protein-coated paper. J. Food Science. 66(2):294-299.

Hong, S.-I. and J. M. Krochta.   2003.   Oxygen barrier properties of whey protein isolate coatings on polypropylene films.   J. Food Science.   68(1):224-228.

Lin, S.-Y. and J. M. Krochta. 2003.   Plasticizer effect on grease barrier and color properties of whey-protein coatings on paperboard.   J. Food Science.   68(1): 229-233.

Hong, S.-I. and J. Krochta.   Whey protein isolate coatings on LDPE films as a replacement for oxygen barrier layers in composite films. (Submitted)

Hong, S.-I., J. H. Han and J. M. Krochta.  Optical and surface properties of whey protein isolate coatings on plastic films as influenced by substrate, protein concentration and plasticizer type.  (Submitted)