Water vapor permeability and mechanical properties of soy protein isolate edible films composed of different plasticizer combinations

Water barrier and mechanical properties were measured for soy protein isolate (SPI) films plasticized with glycerol (GLY) and 1 of the plasticizers (propylene glycol [PG], polyethylene glycol [PEG], sorbitol [SOR], or sucrose [SUC]) at a ratio of 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and 0:100. Plasticizer type as well as the plasticizer ratio in the GLY:plasticizer mixtures affected the film water barrier and mechanical properties. An addition of as little as 25% of a less hygroscopic plasticizer in the mixture induced significant reduction in water vapor permeability (WVP) of SPI films. However, at least 50% of the mixture needs to be GLY to show significant improvement in tensile strength (TS). From our experimental design, 50:50 GLY:SOR was the recommended combination because of its comparatively low WVP value and relatively high flexibility and strength. Incompatibility of GLY:PEG plasticizer mixture in SPI film was observed by surface migration of PEG from the film matrix.