Effect of the state of water and relative humidity on ageing of PLA films.

Various types of food are now commercialized in packaging materials based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) due to its eco-friendly nature. However, one of the main limitations related to PLA is its reactivity with water. For food applications, it is of critical importance to better understand the hydrolysis of PLA driven by water molecules either in liquid or in vapour state. This work focuses on the modifications of PLA induced by water when simulating contact with semi-dry foods (aw≈0.5), high moisture foods (aw≈1) and liquid foods (aw≈1). This study undoubtedly shows that both the chemical potential of water and its physical state influence the hydrolytic degradation of PLA films. From a practical point of view, PLA packaging is very well suited for semi-dry foods, but is highly sensitive to high moisture and liquid foods.

Functional properties of edible agar-based and starch-based films for food quality preservation.

Edible films made of agar (AG), cassava starch (CAS), normal rice starch (NRS), and waxy (glutinous) rice starch (WRS) were elaborated and tested for a potential use as edible packaging or coating. Their water vapor permeabilities (WVP) were comparable with those of most of the polysaccharide-based films and with some protein-based films. Depending on the environmental moisture pressure, the WVP of the films varies and remains constant when the relative humidity (RH) is >84%. Equilibrium sorption isotherms of these films have been measured; the Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) model was used to describe the sorption isotherm and contributed to a better knowledge of hydration properties. Surface hydrophobicity and wettability of these films were also investigated using the sessile drop contact angle method. The results obtained suggested the migration of the lipid fraction toward evaporation surface during film drying. Among these polysaccharide-based films, AG-based film and CAS-based film displayed more interesting mechanical properties: they are transparent, clear, homogeneous, flexible, and easily handled. NRS- and WRS-based films were relatively brittle and have a low tension resistance. Microstructure of film cross section was observed by environmental scanning electron microscopy to better understand the effect of the structure on the functional properties. The results suggest that AG-based film and CAS-based films, which show better functional properties, are promising systems to be used as food packaging or coating instead of NRS- and WRS-based films.

Modified arabinoxylan-based films. Part B. Grafting of omega-3 fatty acids by oxygen plasma and electron beam irradiation.

Arabinoxylans (AXs) are byproducts of the cereal milling industry. To obtain high-value products, AXs have been used as a film-forming agent. Hence, AX-based films are poor water vapor barriers. The objectives of this study were to graft omega-3 (omega3) fatty acids onto AX polymeric chains by using two new technologies: cold plasma and electron beam (EB) irradiation. Results show that the surface hydrophobicity of the modified films is higher than that of a waxy coating or a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film. In addition, FTIR spectroscopy analysis reveals vibration bands attributed to new chemical functions. Finally, a decrease in water vapor permeability (WVP) is obtained for the film treated with the alpha-linolenic acid-rich oil. This result could be explained by a better diffusion of this shorter polyunsaturated fatty acid into the AX network. Linseed oils provide better barrier properties and a higher surface hydrophobicity than oils extract from marine oils. Edible oils were chosen for edible application of these films to retard moisture transfers in stuffed biscuits.

Arabinoxylan-lipid-based edible films and coatings. 3. Influence of drying temperature on film structure and functional properties.

This work is a contribution to better knowledge of the influence of the structure of films obtained from emulsions based on arabinoxylans, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, and emulsifiers on their functional properties. The sucrose esters (emulsifiers) have a great effect on the stabilization of the emulsified film structure containing arabinoxylans and hydrogenated palm kernel oil. The structure and stability of the emulsion during drying strongly affect barrier and mechanical properties of films. The higher are creaming and coalescence phenomena in films, the lower is the water vapor permeability. Emulsion destabilization is favored by high drying temperature and tends to give films having a "bilayer-like" structure, which tends to improve the functional properties of arabinoxylans-based edible films.

Arabinoxylan-lipids-based edible films and coatings. 2. Influence of sucroester nature on the emulsion structure and film properties.

This work is a contribution to better knowledge of the influence of the structure of films on their functional properties obtained from emulsions based on arabinoxylans, hydrogenated palm kernel oil (HPKO), and emulsifiers. The sucroesters (emulsifiers) have a great effect on the stabilization of the emulsified film structure containing arabinoxylans and hydrogenated palm kernel oil. They improve the moisture barrier properties. Several sucroesters having different esterification degrees were tested. Both lipophilic (90% of di and tri-ester) and hydrophilic (70% of mono-ester) sucrose esters can ensure the stability of the emulsion used to form the film, especially during preparation and drying. These emulsifiers confer good moisture barrier properties to emulsified films.

Influence of the physical state of water on the barrier properties of hydrophilic and hydrophobic films.

Water transfer through different films, as a function of the physical state of water in contact with the film, the relative humidity difference, and the water vapor pressure difference, was investigated. The films were two synthetic packagings (hydrophobic polyethylene and hydrophilic cellophane) and an edible film. The physical state of water affects water sensitive films, such as cellophane, inducing a higher liquid water transfer due to interactions with the polymer. For hydrophobic polymers, such as polyethylene, neither the physical state of water nor the relative humidity has an influence on the water permeability. In complex system, such as an edible film composed of hydrophilic particles dispersed in a lipid phase, barrier efficiency is influenced by the continuous hydrophobic phase but could also be affected by the physical state of water due to the presence of hydrophilic compounds.

Interactions between aroma and edible films. 1. Permeability Of methylcellulose and low-density polyethylene films to methyl ketones.

This work contributes to the study of aroma transfers through edible and plastic packaging films. Permeability, sorption, and diffusivity of three methyl ketones (2-heptanone, 2-octanone, and 2-nonanone) in and through low-density polyethylene and methylcellulose-based edible films have been determined. Permeability was measured using a dynamic method coupled with a gas chromatograph. The methyl ketone permeability of polyethylene films mainly depends on diffusivity of the penetrant in the polymer. In the case of 2-heptanone, a saturation of the polymer network is observed at high vapor concentrations. The formation of clusters could take place when concentrations are higher in the vapor phase. Physicochemical interactions between aroma compounds and components of the methylcellulose-based film induce structural changes such as plasticization. Therefore, the diffusion step depends on the aroma concentration differential, and permeability is essentially driven by the sorption.