Preparation of Edible Non-wettable Coating with Soybean Wax for Repelling Liquid Foods with Little Residue

Abstract

Liquid food adhesion on containers has increased food waste and pollution, which could be effectively alleviated with a superhydrophobic surface. In this research, the superhydrophobic coating was fabricated with edible soybean wax on different substrates by a spraying method. The coated surface showed excellent superhydrophobicity due to its microstructure formed by self-roughening, which could repel a variety of viscous liquid food with the apparent contact angle of 159 ± 2°. The coated surface was still liquid-repellent after hot water immersion (45 °C), abrasion test with sandpaper, water impact, finger touch and immersion into yogurt. The liquid-repellent coating with soybean wax, which is natural and green, is promising for application in the food industry to reduce waste.