Türk lokumu için alternatif yenilebilir film üretimi ve film özelliklerinin belirlenmesi

In the present study, polysaccharide based edible films were prepared, characterized and the optimal coating solution was applied to lokum samples. The films were targeted as packaging material for foods, which require controlled water vapor transport and good mechanical properties to extend the shelf life of products. Film formation procedures were deemed to be practical and economical at large scales. For this purpose carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), starch and modified starch were chosen as film forming materials. Distilled water and glycerol were used as solvent and plasticizer, respectively. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were used as stickiness reducing agents. Film composition was optimized according to the film thickness and appearance (integrity, flexibility, homogeneity etc.) and the best formulation was fully tested for its physical (color, opacity, moisture content), barrier (water vapor permeability) and mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation). These characteristics of the derived films were measured to assess their effectiveness as edible coatings for food. Among the possible alternatives carboxymethyl cellulose, glycerol and polyethylene glycol suspensions were chosen to be the best components for the formation of homogeneous, thin and flexible films. The optimized concentrations were found as 0.5 % w/v, 0.1 % w/v and 0.5% w/v for CMC, PEG and Gly, respectively. The derived films were colorless, transparent and showed desired mechanical and physical properties. It was also observed that CMC is a good matrix-forming material that allows the elaboration of edible films and glycerol is a plasticizer compatible with CMC, improving film flexibility, facilitating its handling and preventing pores and cracks.