USDA offers new edible film from milk protein casein

02 August 2002 23:14  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (CNI)--The US Agricultural Research Service (ARS) said Friday it will license a newly discovered process for producing water-resistant and edible films and coatings from the milk protein casein.

ARS, the research and development arm of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), said in a statement today that the new extraction process for casein uses carbon dioxide under high pressure and takes advantage of casein's natural structure to form water-resistant films or coatings.

Previously, said the ARS, "it has been difficult to obtain from casein films, fibres and moulded materials with acceptable mechanical properties," because moisture can dissolve casein.

But the new casein extraction process produces film that will lock in moisture in packaged foods or that can serve as an edible coating. The ARS said the new film could also be used to develop biodegradable packaging materials.

ARS said the extraction process was discovered by Peggy Tomasula, a chemical engineer at the ARS eastern regional research centre in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania. The ARS also noted that it is "seeking commercial partners" for the process.

By: Joe Kamalick
+1 713 525 2653

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