Experts from the US Bureau of Agricultural Research recently invented a new method for processing plastic films from milk. This film can not only be degraded, but also can be used as an edible package.
This technology was jointly developed by the Dairy Processing and Research Group of the Eastern Regional Research Center of the US Bureau of Agricultural Research. The researchers found that mixing milk with the water and glycerin produced during biofuel production can produce a waterproof, edible film. In the manufacturing process, carbon dioxide is incorporated into the milk, which lowers the pH of the milk and causes casein to form a carbon dioxide-casein particulate matter. The smaller the volume of carbon dioxide-casein particles, the better the film's resistance to moisture erosion and the more glossy the film. The researchers also found that adding a layer of carbon dioxide-casein to the low density polyethylene film can enhance the film's ability to resist oxygen infiltration. It is reported that this film is not only glossy, transparent, but also completely degradable and edible.