Effects of preparation conditions on the properties of agar/maltodextrin-beeswax pseudo-bilayer films.

The present study aims to develop an agar/maltodextrin-beeswax (A/M-BW) pseudo-bilayer film with high surface hydrophobicity by adjusting drying temperatures and homogenization conditions. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared determined the chemical components of the upper and lower surfaces of the films. X-ray diffraction characterized the crystalline behavior of film matrix. Scanning electron microscopy explored the distribution patterns of BW and phase separation phenomenon. Atomic force microscopy revealed the surface roughness of film. The pseudo-bilayer film prepared at 8000 rpm for 1 min (A/M-BW-8000-1) had the highest tensile strength (20.57 MPa), Young's modulus (640.60 MPa), contact angle (92.9°), and the lowest water vapor permeability (2.18 × 10 g m s Pa). The A/M-BW pseudo-bilayer film with excellent surface hydrophobicity and mechanical properties was obtained at higher drying temperature and lower homogenization intensity. The A/M-BW pseudo-bilayer film has promising potential for application in food packaging which requires higher water vapor resistance.