Edible films and coatings employing water soluble corn prolamin and other functional ingredients

Abstract

A method of producing an aqueous solution of zein suitable for forming edible coatings includes combining zein with an alcohol-free, non-corrosive amphipathic carrier solvent (e.g., [1,3]-propanediol), and adding a surfactant (e.g., surfactin) thereto, forming a Phase I solution. The surfactant may be non-ionic or anionic as determined by the type of zein being used. The Phase I solution is combined with a Phase II aqueous solution including primarily water without alcohol to provide an aqueous coating solution of zein. A plasticizer (e.g., polyethylene glycol) or fatty acid (e.g., lauric acid) may be added to the Phase II solution to enhance the zein coating. The resulting coating solution may then be applied on food, and dried, to form an edible coating.