Preparation and characterisation of arabinoxylan and (1,3)(1,4)‐β‐glucan alternating multilayer edible films simulated those of wheat grain aleurone cell wall

Abstract

SummaryVarious observations show a lamellar organisation of wheat aleurone cell walls, that likely acted as barriers to regulate the water diffusion rate in wheat grains. In this study, arabinoxylan (AX) and (1,3)(1,4)‐β‐glucan (BG) alternating multilayer films which mimic cell wall of aleurone structure were prepared. Twenty layers of alternating multilayer films of AX/BG were prepared with individual thicknesses of 20 µm. The water diffusion and water mobility of the films were determined using dynamic vapour sorption and time‐domain nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The AX/BG alternating multilayer films exhibited unique mechanical and hydration properties, which could be explained by their unique nanostructure and microporosity. The edible films with this structure were found to exhibit high ultimate stress and ultimate strain, and low rates of water diffusion.