Zeins comprise a group of maize storage proteins (prolamines) that can be extracted via solubization in alcoholic media. Such proteins are highly hydrophobic with elevated degree of polymerization. In the present study, zein type a (molecular mass between 19 and 22 kDa) was extracted from corn gluten meal and characterized concerning the main spectroscopy absorption bands in the infrared region. Cast films were processed by blending zein and oleic acid (OA) as plasticizer. Films with no plasticizer were extremely brittle, and thus impossible to handle or used for mechanical analysis. The addition of 1 or 2% wt OA resulted in significant increase in the elongation length, according to DMA analysis. The presence of the plasticizer led to microscopic surface irregularities and to a reduction in the original hydrophobic characteristics.
Zein; biopolymers; maize protein; mechanical properties; cast films
