Heat sealable soluble soybean polysaccharide/gelatin blend edible films for food packaging applications

The present study aimed to develop heat sealable soybean polysaccharide (SSPS)/gelatin blend films intended to be used as edible food packaging materials. The films were fabricated by solution casting method using SSPS/gelatin blends and plasticized by glycerol. The results indicated that the heat sealability, stretchability and resistance to fracture of the films were significantly improved by blending SSPS with gelatin. The incorporation of gelatin into SSPS films also increased the thermal stability but decreased the water solubility, rigidity and water vapor permeability of the films. ATR-FTIR spectra and DSC results indicated strong interactions between SSPS and gelatin. The studies of optical properties, SEM, AFM, and XRD revealed that SSPS and gelatin were compatible to a certain degree in this blend system. Packaging tests confirmed that the blend films have showing potential as edible material in food packaging.