Preparation of edible, barrier films from zein nanoparticle dispersions in water

In this work, zein films were prepared by coalescing zein nanoparticles from aqueous zein dispersions
i.e. zein latexes. Zein latexes were prepared by antisolvent precipitation, where 10% zein solution in 90%
aqueous ethanol was drop–wise added to water to obtain dispersions of zein nanoparticles in water. The
remaining ethanol was evaporated to obtain 4% m/m zein latexes. Thereafter, zein films were prepared by
casting the latexes in silicone molds and air–drying at 50^oC. The obtained films were characterized for
morphology, surface roughness, water vapor permeability, opacity and color, and were benchmarked against
zein films obtained by casting its aqueous ethanol solutions. Effect of plasticizer (30% propylene glycol on
zein mass) on the film properties of the latex films was also investigated.