The effect of addition of caseinates to soy protein isolated (SPI) based films containing lipids (33% of oleic acid or 85:15 oleic acid (OA)-beeswax blend (BW)) on water vapour permeability (WVP), mechanical and optical properties was evaluated. SPI-lipids was combined with caseinates (sodium or calcium) in different SPI:caseinate ratios with the aim of improving water vapour barrier, mechanical and optical properties of SPI films containing lipids. Caseinate incorporation to SPI based films provoked an increase of elastic modulus and tensile strength at break, mainly for calcium caseinate. Both caseinates contributed to increase the water vapour barrier properties of soy protein-based films. Caseinates also provoked an increase of transparency of SPI based films and colour softening. The most effective combination was 1:1 sodium caseinate:SPI ratio, when film contains 85:15 oleic acid:beeswax ratio. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.