Preparation and Properties of Biodegradable Films from Wheat Protein Isolate

Fully biodegradable and eco-friendly green films were made using wheat protein isolate (WPI) through casting method by the addition of plasticizer and cross linking agent and subsequent heating and drying treatments. In this work, the optimum conditions to prepare films from WPI were determined by varying the glycerol content from 10 to 25% and glutaraldehyde from 0 to 40%. The various factors affecting the formation of these films were examined by measuring their mechanical (tensile strength and elongation), spectral and thermal properties and moisture content. The WPI films with 10% of glycerol and 20% glutaraldehyde showed good mechanical properties.