Black Edible Films from Protein-Containing Defatted Cake of Nigella sativa Seeds.

Mohammed Sabbah,Chiara Schiraldi,Marcella Cammarota,Raffaele Porta,Mohammad Altamimi,Prospero Di Pierro

doi:10.3390/ijms21030832

Abstract

Black biodegradable/edible protein-based films were prepared from defatted cake waste obtained from Nigella sativa (black cumin) seeds as by-product of oil extraction process. The effects of pH, glycerol concentrations, and transglutaminase-catalyzed protein cross-linking activity on the stability of film-forming solutions were studied to determine the best experimental conditions to produce handleable films. Proteins contained in the analyzed defatted cake were shown to be able to act as transglutaminase acyl donor and acceptor substrates being polymerized when incubated in vitro in the presence of the enzyme. Film-forming solutions containing 20% glycerol and casted at pH 8.0 after treatment with the enzyme gave rise to morphologically more homogeneous films possessing mechanical and barrier properties, as well as antimicrobial activity, compatible with their possible applications as food packaging materials and mulching sheets. These findings confirm the validity of the strategy to consider the seed oil processed cakes as protein-based renewable sources to produce not only fertilizers, animal feed, or culinary food but also further valuable products such as bioplastics.

Highlights

It is generally recognized that the environmental pollution due to plastic polymers is a global concern
Both the demand and the production for new biodegradable packaging materials able to substitute for the traditional plastic ones are on the rise [1]
A quantitative parameter monitoring the micro- and nano-particle mobility in an electrical field, as well as the size of the particles occurring in aqueous solution of protein concentrate (PC) obtained from Nigella sativa defatted seed cake (NsDSC), were preliminarily determined as a function of pH to find proper conditions for the development of stable film-forming solutions (FFSs) [28]

Summary

Introduction

It is generally recognized that the environmental pollution due to plastic polymers is a global concern. Seeking biodegradable alternatives for plastics is increasing, even though they still probably represent less than 5% of the total plastic materials used today. Oil-derived plastics, mostly thanks to their versatile characteristics of stability, flexibility, rigidity, transparency, and molding, have been and continue to be extensively used to protect the majority of the commercialized foods. Plastic packaging wastes represent more than 15% and 25% of total solid wastes in the USA and Europe, respectively [2]. Both the demand and the production for new biodegradable packaging materials able to substitute for the traditional plastic ones are on the rise [1]

Methods

Results

Conclusion