Fabrication of biocomposite films based on sodium caseinate reinforced with gellan and Persian gums and evaluation of physicomechanical and morphology properties

Recently, the design and production of biodegradable films have received special attention than synthetic packaging due to the reduction of environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Persian gums (1%) and gellan gum (1%) on the physical, mechanical and morphological properties of composite films based on sodium caseinate (10%) as film reinforcing agents. The films were synthesized by solvent evaporation and the effect of each gum on the characteristics of the composite films was evaluated. The results showed that the addition of gums strengthened the composite films. So that the composite films showed mechanical resistance and good barrier properties versus moisture and light. The surface properties and morphology of the films also showed that the gums were well computability to the casein film and formed uniform and stiff films. In addition, composite films had acceptable transparency. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of composite films and the combination of different polysaccharides with protein matrices can improve the properties of the resulting films. On the other hand, by adding antimicrobial and antioxidant agents to biodegradable films, they can be considered as active packaging.