Modified wheat glutens and use thereof in fabrication of films

A process for the casting of gluten protein-based films comprising the steps of:

• providing a casting dispersion comprising a modified wheat gluten protein product dispersed in an aqueous alkaline liquid phase comprising water and a plasticizer and having a pH of about 8-12, said modified wheat gluten protein product made from wheat gluten starting product treated with a reducing agent to give the modified wheat gluten protein product, said modified wheat gluten protein product comprising gliadin and glutenin fractions, having an average molecular weight of up to 1000 kDa, and having substantially no heat denaturation, said dispersion having a protein content of about 15-25% by weight, a Brookfield viscosity of about 5,000-25,000 cps, and being essentially free of alcohol;
• degassing said dispersion;
• and applying a liquid layer of said casting dispersion onto a moving film-forming substrate, and allowing said layer to dry on said substrate to form said film, said dispersion having a temperature during said applying step of up to about 40.degree. C.