Coatings for substrates including high moisture edible substrates

Abstract

A method for coating substrates, including high moisture substrates and substrates having high moisture at the surface, with emulsions or suspensions of a water-soluble protein material and hydrophobic material. By adjusting the pH of the protein material in the emulsion or suspension to its isoelectric point in situ, that is, when the emulsion or suspension is in contact with the substrate, the protective properties of the resulting film are improved. Substrates coated by the method showed greatly reduced moisture loss. The method provides a way to form stable films on substrates having moist surfaces. The method is particularly useful to protectively coat agricultural products, including edible high moisture products, which are subject to deterioration from moisture loss, respiration or oxidation.

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