Enhancing mechanical and thermal properties of rice glutelin films through the interaction with pectin valorized from Akebia trifoliata var. australis waste

In this study, rice glutelin (RG) based films with improved mechanical and thermal properties were developed through the interaction of four different polysaccharides, pectin extracted by citric acid (CEP), so hydrochloric acid HEP, citrus peel pectin (CP), and lambda-carrageenan (Car). Initially, the recovery of rice glutelin from rice and pectin from Akebia was performed. The results showed that hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction, and electrostatic interaction may be involved in the interaction between RG and polysaccharides. At the same time, the addition of polysaccharides also improved the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and solubility of rice glutelin film. Among them, the mechanical properties of the RG-Car film were the best. The RGHEP film showed the best thermal stability and the highest moisture content. RG-CEP film had a strong rigid structure, and the water content was significantly decreased compared with RG film. This study provided a theoretical basis for the development of protein-polysaccharide composite film.