Thermoplastic properties of biomaterials-based on fish myofibrillar proteins

Biomaterials are produced by thermomoulding process based on thermoplastic properties of myofibrillar proteins. The glass transition was observed betw een 215 and 250 degrees C for the dry protein. Addition of water induced la rge decreases in the glass transition temperature (Tg). Biomaterials were s haped at temperature higher than the Tg for a given moisture content by a t hermomoulding process. The functional properties of the biomaterials were a ffected by temperature and water content. Hydration and temperature effects on functional properties could be explained by the glass transition theory . The thermodynamic theory of the glass transition (i.e. the Couchman - Kar asz equation) was unadapted to fully describe the plasticizing effect of wa ter on biomaterials.