Mechanical and Barrier Properties of Avenin, Kafirin, and Zein Films

Biodegradable and renewable materials can be manufactured from prolamins, which are the major storage protein fraction of cereals. This paper investigates the material properties of oat prolamin (avenin), corn prolamin (zein), and sorghum prolamin (kafirin). Glass transition temperature, dry solid content, stress at break, strain at break, oxygen permeability, and water vapor permeability were analyzed at different plasticizer contents. Avenin was plasticized with glycerol, and kafirin and zein were plasticized with a mixture of polyethylene glycol, glycerol, and lactic acid. Avenin displayed potential, although it did not exhibit the mechanical qualities of gluten, which resembles avenin at the molecular level. Compared to kafirin and zein, avenin was more extensible at low plasticizer contents, while kafirin and especially zein were more extensible at the highest plasticizer content. Avenin was far weaker than the other two at all plasticizer contents. Kafirin and zein displayed similar barrier properties, whereas avenin was notably more permeable.