Resistance of lipid films to water vapor transmission

Abstract

Abstract Various lipids, mounted on a polar filter paper support, were evaluated as barriers to the transmission of water vapor. Beeswax was most resistant to moisture transmission followed by stearly alcohol, acetylated monoglycerides, tristearin, and stearic acid in order of decreasing resistance. Resistance of beeswax to the transmission of water vapor is similar to that of polyethylene terephthlate and polyvinyl chloride. Temperature dependence of resistance to water vapor transport was influenced markedly by the polar‐supporting matrix. This was attributed to the moisture sorption characteristics of the support, a finding that has relevance to edible, lipid‐based films that contain hydrophilic polymers for structural integrity.