The increasing environmental concern has reawakened an interest in materials based on renewable resources as replacement for petroleum-based materials. The main objective of this thesis was to explore plant proteins, more specifically wheat gluten, as a binder in wood adhesives intended for typical solid wood applications such as furniture and flooring. Alkaline and acidic dispersions of wheat gluten were used as wood adhesives to bond together beech wood substrates. Soy protein isolate was used as a reference. The tensile shear strengths of the substrates were measured for comparison of bond strength and resistance to cold water. AFM in colloidal probe mode was used to investigate nanoscale adhesion between cellulose and protein films. Wheat gluten was divided into the two protein classes; glutenins and gliadins, and their adhesive performance was compared with that of wheat gluten. Heat treatment and mild hydrolysis were investigated as means for improving bonding performance of wheat gluten. The treated wheat gluten samples were analysed by SE-HPLC and 13C-NMR to correlate molecular size distribution and structural changes with bonding performance. Soy protein isolate is superior to wheat gluten, especially in regards to water resistance. However, the bond strength of wheat gluten is improved when starved bond lines are avoided. The AFM analysis reveals higher interfacial adhesion between soy protein isolate and cellulose than between wheat gluten and cellulose. These results partly explain some of the differences in bonding performance between the plant proteins. Soy protein isolate contains more polar amino acid residues than wheat gluten and possibly interacts more strongly with cellulose. Furthermore, the bond performances of wheat gluten and glutenin are similar, while that of gliadin is inferior to the others, especially regarding water resistance. The extent of penetration of the dispersions into the wood material has a large impact on the results. The bonding performance of gliadin is similar to the others when over-penetration of the dispersion into the wood material is avoided. Moreover, the bond strength of the wheat gluten samples heated at 90°C was in general improved compared to that of wheat gluten. A small improvement was also obtained for some of the hydrolyzed wheat gluten samples (degree of hydrolysis: 0-0.6 %). The improvements in bonding performance for the heat treated samples are due to polymerization, while the improvements for the hydrolyzed samples are due to denaturation. The 13C-NMR analysis of the treated samples confirms some degree of denaturation. / QC 20120514

Biodegradable, edible wheat gluten films offer a renewable alternative to plastic food packaging or can be incorporated directly in the food product. Wheat gluten is a good option because it forms a fibrous network, lending strength and elasticity to films. The goal of this research project was to produce, with a water-based film formulation and methodology, smooth, homogeneous wheat gluten films with low water vapour permeability (WVP). The water-based film formulation also served to compare the FT Wonder wheat cultivar, grown in Ontario, to commercially produced wheat gluten and determine the effect of wheat source on the film properties, surface morphology, surface hydrophobicity, WVP, and film swelling in water for different pH, temperature and casting surface conditions. Fluorescence, SPR, and casting formulation viscosity provided preliminary information on the mechanism of film formation and on gluten protein structure induced by modifying the film formulation. This research provides an alternate use for some Ontario wheat cultivars based on their properties in films compared to commercial sources of gluten. As a result, using Ontario cultivars to prepare gluten film packaging material has potential as an alternate source of income for Ontario farmers. This research also defines the film properties for gluten films produced from aqueous solutions, helping to identify processing parameters that could bring gluten films on par with plastic packaging and make gluten films a viable alternative food packaging material. Finally, it was determined that the water vapour permeability of wheat gluten films was not correlated to film surface contact angle.

Biodegradable, edible wheat gluten films offer a renewable alternative to plastic food packaging or can be incorporated directly in the food product. Wheat gluten is a good option because it forms a fibrous network, lending strength and elasticity to films. The goal of this research project was to produce, with a water-based film formulation and methodology, smooth, homogeneous wheat gluten films with low water vapour permeability (WVP). The water-based film formulation also served to compare the FT Wonder wheat cultivar, grown in Ontario, to commercially produced wheat gluten and determine the effect of wheat source on the film properties, surface morphology, surface hydrophobicity, WVP, and film swelling in water for different pH, temperature and casting surface conditions. Fluorescence, SPR, and casting formulation viscosity provided preliminary information on the mechanism of film formation and on gluten protein structure induced by modifying the film formulation. This research provides an alternate use for some Ontario wheat cultivars based on their properties in films compared to commercial sources of gluten. As a result, using Ontario cultivars to prepare gluten film packaging material has potential as an alternate source of income for Ontario farmers. This research also defines the film properties for gluten films produced from aqueous solutions, helping to identify processing parameters that could bring gluten films on par with plastic packaging and make gluten films a viable alternative food packaging material. Finally, it was determined that the water vapour permeability of wheat gluten films was not correlated to film surface contact angle.

Essa pesquisa teve como objetivo obter o abacaxi como alimento tipo conveniência, submetido ao processamento mínimo e tratamento com cloreto de cálcio, películas comestíveis à base de alginato e glúten de trigo, e irradiação. Os frutos foram lavados, sanificados com Sumaveg® (Dicloro-S-Triazinatriona Sódica), na concentração de 200 mg L-1 de cloro livre, a 7ºC, durante 15 minutos, e descascados manualmente. A polpa foi fatiada em leques de aproximadamente 1 cm de espessura, enxagüadas com 20 mg L-1 de cloro livre, durante 3 minutos, e drenadas por 3 minutos. No primeiro experimento as amostras foram submetidas aos tratamentos: cloreto de cálcio 1% + solução de glúten vital; cloreto de cálcio 1% + alginato de sódio 1%; e controle. No segundo experimento as amostras foram submetidas aos tratamentos: cloreto de cálcio 1% + solução de glúten vital + irradiação com 2,3 kGy; cloreto de cálcio 1% + irradiação com 2,3 kGy; irradiação com 2,3 kGy; e controle. O acondicionamento foi realizado em bandejas rígidas de polietileno tereftalato (PET), com cerca de 250 g de fruta. A irradiação foi realizada em irradiador multipropósito de Cobalto-60, com atividade de 92 kCi e taxa de dose de 2,3 kGy h-1. As amostras foram armazenadas a 5 ± 1ºC e analisadas a cada dois dias, num total de 12 dias. No primeiro experimento, os valores de pH e acidez titulável apresentaram leves alterações e semelhança entre os tratamentos. Houve decréscimo no teor de ácido ascórbico em todos os tratamentos. Todos os tratamentos escureceram ao longo do armazenamento. Apesar dos valores terem sido próximos entre os tratamentos, os abacaxis tratados com cloreto de cálcio + glúten apresentaram textura mais firme, menores perda de líquido, atividade da peroxidase e polifenoloxidase, produção de CO2 e etileno e contagens de microrganismos mesófilos e bolores e leveduras. Não houve presença de E. coli e de Salmonella. A contagem de microrganismos do grupo dos coliformes totais foi baixa em todos os tratamentos e ocorreu apenas em amostras isoladas durante o período de armazenamento. Na análise sensorial, as amostras tratadas com cloreto de cálcio + glúten apresentaram as notas mais baixas para textura, aparência e aroma; já o sabor ficou comprometido a partir do 4o dia de armazenamento. No segundo experimento, os valores de pH e acidez titulável apresentaram pequenas alterações e semelhança entre os tratamentos. Houve decréscimo no teor de ácido ascórbico em todos os tratamentos; no entanto, as amostras tratadas com cloreto de cálcio + glúten + 2,3 kGy retiveram mais essa vitamina. A textura mais firme e as menores perda de líquido e atividade da peroxidase e polifenoloxidase ocorreram nas amostras tratadas com cloreto de cálcio + 2,3 kGy. Todos os tratamentos escureceram ao longo do armazenamento. As amostras mais escuras foram as tratadas com cloreto de cálcio + glúten + 2,3 kGy e as irradiadas com 2,3 kGy. As maiores taxa respiratória e síntese de etileno ocorreram nas amostras tratadas com cloreto de cálcio + glúten + 2,3 kGy. As menores contagens de microrganismos psicrotróficos, mesófilos, e bolores e leveduras ocorreram nas amostras à base de cloreto de cálcio + glúten + 2,3 kGy. Não houve presença de E. coli e de Salmonella. A contagem de microrganismos do grupo dos coliformes totais foi baixa em todos os tratamentos e ocorreu apenas em algumas amostras durante o período de armazenamento. Apenas o controle manteve as características sensoriais acima do limite de aceitabilidade durante todo o armazenamento. A textura das demais amostras foi rejeitada no 8º dia. O sabor ficou comprometido desde o 1º dia de armazenamento nas amostras à base de cloreto de cálcio + glúten + 2,3 kGy / The aim of this study was to obtain a convenience type pineapple subjected to fresh-cut process and calcium chloride, wheat gluten and alginate-base edible coating and irradiation treatments. The fruits were washed, sanitized with Sumaveg® (Sodium Dichloro-s-Triazinetrione) in a 200 mg L-1 chlorine-free solution at 7ºC for 15 minutes, and then manually peeled. The peeled fruits were sliced into 1 cm thick slices, rinsed in 20 mg L-1 chlorine-free solution for 3 minutes and drained for 3 minutes. In the first experiment, the samples were treated with: 1% calcium chloride + vital wheat gluten solution; 1% calcium chloride + 1% alginate solution; and control. In the second experiment, the samples were treated with: 1% calcium chloride + vital wheat gluten solution + 2.3 kGy; 1% calcium chloride + 2.3kGy; irradiation with 2.3kGy; and control. The packing consisted of rigid polyethylene terephthalate (PET) trays with around 250 g of fruit. The irradiation was performed in a Cobalt-60 multipurpose irradiator with 92 kCi activity and dose value of 2.3 kGy h-1. The samples were stored at 5 ± 1ºC and evaluated every other day for 12 days. In the first experiment pH and titratable acidity values showed slight variations but were similar between the treatments. There was a decrease in ascorbic acid values in all treatments. Browning was noticed in all treatments over the storage period. Although the values between the treatments were similar, the pineapple treated with calcium chloride + gluten showed firmer texture, less liquid loss, and lower values of polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase activities and CO2 and ethylene production. Mesophiles and mold and yeast counts were also reduced. No Salmonella and E. coli were detected. Total coliform counts were low in all the treatments and appeared in just a few isolated samples during the storage period. Sensory analyses showed that the samples treated with calcium chloride + gluten had the lower scores for texture, appearance, and aroma; the flavor was compromised from the 4th storage day onward. In the second experiment the pH and titratable acidity values showed small changes but were similar between the treatments. There were a decrease in the ascorbic acid values in all treatments; nevertheless, the samples treated with calcium chloride + gluten + 2.3 kGy retained more of this vitamin than the other treatments. Firmer texture, less liquid loss, and lower values of polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase activities were noticed in the samples with calcium chloride + 2.3 kGy. Browning was noticed in all treatments over the storage period. The darker samples were the ones treated with calcium chloride + gluten + 2.3 kGy, and irradiated with 2.3 kGy. Higher respiratory rate and ethylene synthesis were noticed in the samples treated with calcium chloride + gluten + 2.3 kGy. The lowest psychrotrophic, mesophiles, and mold and yeast counts occurred in the samples treated with calcium chloride + gluten + 2.3 kGy. No Salmonella and E. coli were detected. Total coliform counts were low in all the treatments and appeared in just a few samples during the storage period. Only the control kept the sensorial attributes within the acceptability limit during the storage period. The texture in all the other samples was unacceptable from the 8th day onward. The flavor was compromised from the first storage day onward in the samples with calcium chloride + gluten + 2.3 kGy

Benefícios na fermentação microbiana no cólon e as flatulências, em cães da raça Bulldog Francês, podem ser promovidos mediante mudanças nas quantidades e fontes proteicas da dieta. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos da inclusão de diferentes fontes de proteína em alimento seco para cães Bulldog Francês sobre a fermentação microbiana, a absorção de nutrientes e mudanças nas emissões dos componentes orgânicos voláteis mais prevalentes, ademais comparou os resultados com a técnica de teste sensorial. Quatro dietas de manutenção para cães adultos foram formuladas: T0, dieta com farinha de vísceras de frango; T1, dieta com glúten de trigo; T2, dieta com farinha de vísceras de frango e glúten de trigo; e T3, dieta com vísceras de frango, glúten de trigo e proteína hidrolisada. Foram utilizados oito cães da raça Bulldog Francês, com peso corporal médio de 11,3 ± 0,21 kg e 2,7 ± 0,74 anos de idade, distribuidos num delineamento em quadrado latino 4x4 e adaptados às dietas durante 20 dias. Fezes frescas foram coletadas para análise de digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes, escore, ácidos graxos voláteis, pH, aminas biogênicas, compostos orgânicos voláteis, lactato, amônia, e análise sensorial. Não houve efeitos adversos nos animais. As médias foram comparadas por meio de contrastes pelo PROC MIXED do SAS, adotando um nível de significância de 5% (P≤0,05). Os animais que foram alimentados com as dietas T1 e T2 apresentaram maior digestibilidade da matéria seca (P<0,05), matéria orgânica (P<0,05), proteína bruta (P<0,001) e menor produção de fezes (P<0,02). Foi observada menor ingestão da fibra bruta nos animais alimentados com a dieta T0 (P<0,001). As dietas T1, T2 e T3 resultaram em menor escore e pH fecal (P<0,05). Ao respeito aos compostos orgânicos voláteis, foi observada diferença estatística em dois dos 68 compostos observados, as fezes dos animais alimentados com dieta T0 e T1 apresentaram maior presença dos compostos fenol (P=0,04) e indol (P=0,01), respectivamente. O tratamento T0 apresentou maior percepção de odor durante a avaliação sensorial (P=0,01). Não houve efeito das dietas nos produtos finais de fermentação. O uso complementar da proteína animal com a vegetal melhoraram a digestibilidade da proteína bruta, e em consequência, reduziram a percepção do mal odor das fezes de cães Bulldogs Francês. Mais estudos são necessários para entender a associação dos níveis de percepção de odor com as mudanças dos compostos orgânicos voláteis. / Benefits on colonic fermentation and flatulencies, in French bulldog dogs, can be promoted by changes on diet protein sources and quantities. The current study evaluated the effects of the inclusion of different protein sources to dog dry feed on microbial fermentation, nutrient absorption, and changes of the emission of most prevalent volatile organic compounds, and also compared the results with a sensorial test. Four maintenance diets for adult dogs were formulated: T0, diet with the inclusion of poultry entrails meal; T1, diet with the inclusion of wheat gluten; T2, diet with the inclusion of poultry entrails meal and wheat gluten; and T3, diet with the inclusion of poultry entrails meal, wheat gluten, and hydrolyzed protein. Eight adult French bulldog dogs, with a mean weight of 11.3 ± 0.21 kg and 2.7 ± 0.74 years old, were arranged in a 4x4 Latin square design and adapted to diets for 20 days. Therefore, fresh feces were collected for digestibility, fecal score, volatile fatty acids, fecal pH, biogenic amines, volatiles organic compounds, fecal lactate, ammonia, and sensorial test analyses. There were no adverse effects to the animals. Means were compared by contrast using PROC MIXED procedure of SAS software, choosing a significance level of 5% (P≤0.05). Animals fed with diets T1 and T2 showed higher dry matter (P<0.05), organic matter (P<0.05), and crude protein digestibility (P<0.001), and lower feces production (P<0.02). Lower ingestion of crude fiber was observed in animals fed with diet T0 (P<0.001). Diets T1, T2, and T3 showed lower pH (P<0.05) and score of the feces. In regard to volatile organic compounds, 2 from 68 observed compounds showed statistical difference. Animals fed with diet T0 and diet T1 had greater presence of phenol (P=0.04) and indole (P=0.01) on feces, respectively. Diet T0 showed greater odor perception during the sensorial test (P=0.01). There were no effects of diets on fermentation final products. The reduction of protein level and the complementary use of animal and vegetal protein sources improved crude protein digestibility, and as a consequence, reduced the odor perception of the feces of French bulldog dogs. More studies are needed to understand the association between odor perception levels and changes on volatile organic compounds.

Novel uses of wheat gluten (WG) proteins, obtained e.g. as a coproduct from bio-ethanol production, are presented in this thesis. A flame-retardant foam was prepared via in-situ polymerization of hydrolyzed tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in a denatured WG matrix (Paper I). The TEOS formed a well-dispersed silica phase in the walls of the foam. With silica contents ≥ 6.7 wt%, the foams showed excellent fire resistance. An aspect of the bio-based foams was their high sensitivity to fungi and bacterial growth. This was addressed in Paper II using a natural antimicrobial agent Lanasol. In the same paper, a swelling of 32 times its initial weight in water was observed for the pristine WG foam and both capillary effects and cell wall absorption contributed to the high uptake. In Paper III, conductive and flexible foams were obtained using carbon-based nanofillers and plasticizer. It was found that the electrical resistance of the carbon nanotubes and carbon black filled foams were strain-independent, which makes them suitable for applications in electromagnetic shielding (EMI) and electrostatic discharge protection (ESD). Paper IV describes a ‘water-welding’ method where larger pieces of WG foams were made by wetting the sides of the smaller cubes before being assembled together. The flexural strength of welded foams was ca. 7 times higher than that of the same size WG foam prepared in one piece. The technique provides a strategy for using freeze-dried WG foams in applications where larger foams are required. Despite the versatile functionalities of the WG-based materials, the mechanical properties are often limited due to the brittleness of the dry solid WG. WG/flax composites were developed for improved mechanical properties of WG (Paper V). The results revealed that WG, reinforced with 19 wt% flax fibres, had a strength that was ca. 8 times higher than that of the pure WG matrix. Furthermore, the crack-resistance was also significantly improved in the presence of the flax. / <p>QC 20170524</p>

This diploma thesis deals with an influence of high temperature and water shortage on the protein content of gliadin and glutenin fractions in four varieties of winter wheat: Bohemia, Tobak, Pannonia and var. Syria with designation S46 (IG142780). The crop was grown at 26, 29, 32, 35, 38 and 41 °C during anthesis under control irrigation treatment (with soil moisture higher than 70 %) or under drought stress (with soil moisture lower than 30 %). To separate gliadins, the A-PAGE method was used, and glutenins were separated by SDS-PAGE method. Proteins were quantified by computer densitometry. Significant influence of genotype on the gluten proteins was found. Variety Pannonia has high content of -, 5-gliadins, LMW and HMW glutenins, but low content of other gliadin fractions. It was the opposite in the other varieties. Due to temperature, as well as drought, there was an increase in the content of all gluten fractions, especially of HMW glutenins, 1,2-gliadins and total gliadins. The largest increase in the gluten fractions due to drought was observed in Syria variety. In other varieties simultaneous exposure to drought and heat caused decrease in gliadin content, but increase in glutenin content. Drought at high temperatures reduced gliadin-to-glutenin ratio, mostly in Bohemia variety. This ratio has increased due to the temperature, especially in Tobak variety. For Syria variety, no effect of stress conditions was found on gliadin-to-glutenin ratio.

Malgré l'ampleur que prend la technologie sous atmosphère modifiée pour le conditionnement des fruits et légumes frais, l'adéquation des matériaux d'emballage avec les besoins des produits est insuffisante. D'une part parce que la conception de ces emballages repose encore sur des approches empiriques de type essai-erreur, et d'autre part parce que la plupart des matériaux disponibles sur le marché présentent des propriétés de transfert aux gaz trop restreintes compte tenu de la gamme de propriétés nécessaire pour couvrir les besoins de ces produits. En vue d'apporter des solutions à ces deux verrous, les travaux de thèse ont porté sur :-la mise en place et la validation d'une approche basée sur l'ingénierie reverse visant à identifier les propriétés de transfert requises ou cibles pour un végétal donné ;-l'étude des procédés de structuration à différentes échelles pour moduler les propriétés de transferts de papiers enduits de protéines de blé, issus de ressources renouvelables.Une démarche d'ingénierie reverse organisée en 5 étapes dont l'identification des besoins des produits et la prédiction des propriétés de transferts requises a été proposée et validée à travers la conception d'un papier enduit actif pour l'emballage sous atmosphère modifiée adapté à la conservation de fraises. Les différents procédés de structuration étudiés ont permis de produire des matériaux couvrant des gammes de permsélectivité allant de 5 à 18 et de perméance à l'oxygène allant de 0,02x10-10 à 2x10-10 mol.Pa-1.m-2.s-2, ce qui répond parfaitement aux besoins d'une sélection représentative de produits frais respirant. Que ce soit des papiers enduits par des procédés conventionnels (couche épaisse) ou des procédés innovants (nano-structuration couche par couche en présence de feuillets d'argile, montmorillonites), il est possible de moduler les propriétés de transferts aux gaz des papiers enduits soit en jouant sur le raffinage des papiers supports, le nombre de paires de couche (gluten/montmorillonite), ou encore en soumettant les matériaux ainsi obtenus à un balayage gazeux de CO2. Cette nouvelle approche et l'efficacité des matériaux protéiques à couvrir les besoins des fruits et légumes ouvrent la voie à la conception de nouveaux emballages mieux adaptés aux produits respirant. / Despite the growing importance of the modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology for fresh fruits and vegetable preservation, the adequacy of the packaging materials with the produce needs remains a problem. On one hand because the packaging development approaches are still based on empirical trial and error methods, and on the other hand, because of the non-adequate gas transfer properties (too restricted to cover the large game of gas transfer properties required) of the vast majority of conventional synthetic plastics currently used for fresh food packaging. In order to overcome these hindrances, the thesis work was split on two parts:-the establishment and the validation of a new approach based on reverse engineering aiming to identify the optimal (targeted) properties for optimal preservation of a selected produce;-the study of the various structuration processes at different scales to modulated the gas transfer properties of bio-sourced wheat gluten coated papers.The new reverse engineering approach for MAP conception consisted in 5 steps including the definition of the produce needs and the prediction of the optimal gas transfer properties of the packaging, and was validated through the conception of an active optimal packaging for strawberry preservation. The different structuration processes studied allowed production of a gluten based materials able to cover ranges of permselectivity and oxygen permeations going from 5 to 18 and 0.02x10-10 à 2x10-10 mol.Pa-1.m-2.s-2, which perfectly matched the needs of a representative selection of fresh produce. Be it for conventional coating techniques (thick layer) or innovative processes (layer-by-layer nano-structuring of gluten/montmorillionites layers), it was possible to modulate the transfer properties of coated papers by changing the refining degree of the support paper, the number of layer pairs (gluten/montmorillionites) deposited, or even by submitting such materials to a CO2 treatment.This new approach and the efficiency of the protein-based materials for covering the fresh fruits and vegetable needs open the way for conception of new optimal packaging for respiring produces.

Master of Science / Department of Grain Science and Industry / Sajid Alavi / Texturized vegetable protein (TVP) based foods offer several advantages compared to animal protein, including lower costs and improved health benefits. Wheat gluten is often processed using extrusion to produce TVP. Processing aids, such as reducing agents (example, cysteine and sodium metabisulfite) and pH modifiers (example, tetra potassium phosphate) aid in texturization. Reduction of sulfhydryl groups, cleavage of disulfide bonds, and reformation of bonds between elongated protein molecules results in protein aggregation and texturization. This study focused on development of a fundamental understanding of these mechanisms for texturization using analytical tools such as the phase transition analyzer (PTA), in combination with lab- and pilot-scale extrusion. The abovementioned three chemicals were added to four varieties of gluten. The control treatment had no additives. PTA was used to understand the operative flow properties of gluten in an environment similar to an extrusion system. Addition of sulfite (0.18%) and cysteine (0.18%) lowered the thermal softening (Ts:36.6-44.1 °C) and thermal flow (Tf:79.6-105.6 °C) temperatures of all varieties of gluten as compared to the controls (Ts:38.8-48.2 °C; Tf:91.7-112.2 °C). Phosphate (3%) did not have the same lowering effect on Ts (40.2-47.0 °C) and Tf (96.2-108.2 °C), indicating a different mechanism. Extrusion studies were conducted to gain an understanding of the reformation of disulfide bonds and texturization. Two of the varieties of gluten, a “superior” one that texturizes well and an “inferior” gluten requiring texturizing aids, were processed on a lab-scale extruder. Pilot scale extrusion was used to process the other two glutens (“superior” varieties) to obtain commercial quality products, which were evaluated for degree of texturization (hydration rate, absorption index and integrity). During lab-scale extrusion, texturization was observed only in the case of phosphate and corresponded with an increase in specific mechanical energy (SME) as compared to the control, indicating disulfide bond reformation. Phosphate also led to significantly (p<0.05) better texturization during pilot-scale extrusion, although SME trends were different due to higher in-barrel moisture and a more ideal extrusion system. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy was used to examine protein structural changes and indicated a loss of α-helix structure in TVP with an increase in β-sheet formation.

Chitosan, Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) and vital wheat gluten (WG) are three biomaterials that have quite promising properties for packaging purposes. They have good film forming properties and good gas barrier properties in dry conditions. Moreover, because they are produced from industrial waste of food processing, they offer an ecological advantage over polymers made from petroleum. However, their physicochemical characteristics still must be improved for them to be of commercial interest for the food packaging industry. The purpose of this work was to study different strategies aiming to improve the water resistance and aging properties of these polymers, which are some of the key disadvantages of these materials. The produced solution cast chitosan and WPI films were characterised with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), density measurements and thermogravimetry. The water vapour transmission rate was determined at a relative humidity of 11%. In the first part, mechanical properties of solid films and seals were assessed by tensile testing. WG film’s tensile properties and oxygen and water vapour permeabilities were measured as a function of aging time. The changes in the protein structure were determined by infrared spectroscopy and size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography and the film structure was revealed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Gluten-clay nanocomposites were characterised by tensile testing, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The incorporation of a hydrophobic biodegradable polymer, poly ( ε-caprolactone), PCL, in both chitosan and whey protein, yielded a significant decrease in water vapour transmission rate. It was observed that a certain amount of the PCL particles were ellipsoidal in chitosan and fibrous in WPI. The obtained data also indicated that the particle shape had an important influence in the water vapour transmission rate. In the second part, the aging properties of WG films, plasticized with glycerol and cast from water/ethanol solutions with pH=4 or pH=11 were investigated. WG films made from alkaline solutions were mechanically more time-stable than the acidic ones, the latter being initially very ductile but turning brittle towards the end of the aging period. The protein solubility measurements indicated that the protein structure of the acidic films was initially significantly less aggregated than the in basic films. During aging the acidic films lost more mass than the basic films through slow evaporation of volatiles (water/ethanol) and through migration of glycerol to the paper support. The oxygen permeability was also lower for the basic films. In the last part, the properties of new and aged glycerol-plasticized WG films at acidic and basic conditions containing ≤4.5 wt% natural or quaternary-ammonium-salt-modified montmorillonite were studied. Films of WG with montmorillonite were possible to produce by solution casting. The aging rate of acidic and basic films was unaffected by the incorporation of clay. However, the large reduction in water vapour permeability for most systems suggested that the clay sheets were evenly distributed within the films. The film prepared from basic solution and containing natural clay was almost completely exfoliated as revealed by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The best water vapour barrier properties were obtained by using modified clay. / QC 20101013