Edible biopolymer films were developed from the exopolysaccharides (EPS) extracted from Weissella confusa 113-2. The optimum composition for film formation was determined using the response surface analysis with the explanatory variables of the EPS (0.5-5.5%) and glycerol (0.5-5.5%) concentrations and the response variable of film elastic modulus (EM). The mass ratio of distilled water to solids was set constant (14:1). Tensile strength (TS), percentage elongation at break (%E), EM, water vapor permeability (WVP) of EPS films were evaluated. The glass transition temperatures of the films were also determined by a dynamic mechanical analysis. The optimum mass ratio of EPS to glycerol was 0.754:0.375. The WVP, TS, %E, and EM of the film under the optimal composition were 3.53±0.21 g·mm/kPa·h·m2, 7.03±0.49 MPa, 84.82±12.31%, and 62.03±6.93 MPa, respectively. The glass transition temperature varied from 54 to 83 °C. The EPS film has the potential to be applied to food products as an edible film with physical and barrier properties comparable to other biopolymer edible films.

• Yeong Ji Oh(Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul Women's University)
• Hee Soo Nam(Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul Women's University)
• Ye Eun Kim(Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul Women's University)
• Sung Hee Ahn(Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul Women's University)
• Sulhee Lee(Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Gachon University)
• Young-Seo Park(Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Gachon University)
• Sea C. Min(Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul Women's University)