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14 pages, 7117 KB

Open AccessArticle

Smart Packaging for Food Spoilage Assessment Based on Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Anthocyanin-Loaded Chitosan Films

by Arezou Khezerlou, Milad Tavassoli, Mahmood Alizadeh Sani, Ali Ehsani and David Julian McClements

J. Compos. Sci. 2023, 7(10), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs7100404 - 24 Sep 2023

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 8624

An on-package colorimetric label was fabricated using Hibiscus sabdariffa L. anthocyanin as a freshness indicator because its color depends on pH. The anthocyanins were embedded within a chitosan matrix. The colorimetric labels were applied to estimate the spoilage of fish food during storage at 25 °C for 3 days. According to scanning electron microscopy results, the inclusion of the anthocyanins in chitosan matrix resulted in formation dense and uniform film. The chitosan colorimetric labels had acceptable thicknesses (78–85 µm), moisture contents (14–16%), swelling indices (84–102%), water vapor permeabilities (3.0–3.2 × 10⁻¹¹ g m/m² s Pa), tensile strengths (11.3–12.3 MPa), and elongation at breaks (14–39%). It is noteworthy that the label can distinguish fish spoilage by color turn from light brown (fresh) to grayish (spoiled) by the naked-eye, due to alterations in the pH content and formation of volatile basic nitrogen during storage. Our results indicate that all-natural color labels can be an effective method to monitor the fish spoilage during storage, which may improve food quality and sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Composites Applications)

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10 pages, 1387 KB

Open AccessArticle

Colorimetric Paper Sensor for Food Spoilage Based on Biogenic Amine Monitoring

by Maria Maddalena Calabretta, Denise Gregucci, Riccardo Desiderio and Elisa Michelini

Biosensors 2023, 13(1), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios13010126 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 9639

Abstract

Biogenic amines (BAs), nitrogenous molecules usually present in different foods, can be considered an indicator of freshness and food quality since their amount increases during food spoilage. Their detection, possibly in real time via the use of smart packaging, is therefore of crucial importance to ensure food safety and to fulfill consumers’ demand. To this end, colorimetric sensors are considered one of the most feasible solutions. Here, we report a user-friendly colorimetric sensing paper able to detect BAs via the naked eye. The sensing molecule is the aglycone genipin, a natural cross-linking agent extracted from gardenia fruit, able to bind BAs producing water-soluble blue pigments. The paper sensor was applied to chicken meat quality monitoring and a quantitative analysis was performed with image acquisition via a smartphone camera, achieving a limit of detection equivalent to 0.1 mM of putrescine. The suitability of the BA sensing paper was assessed by integrating the sensor into smart packaging and analyzing commercial chicken meat samples stored at different temperatures; the results of the sensor paralleled the “best before date” indicated on the label, confirming the potential applicability of the sensor as a smart label. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Biosensors)

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19 pages, 7640 KB

Open AccessArticle

Films Based on Mater-Bi^® Compatibilized with Pine Resin Derivatives: Optical, Barrier, and Disintegration Properties

by Miguel Aldas, Cristina Pavon, José Miguel Ferri, Marina Patricia Arrieta and Juan López-Martínez

Polymers 2021, 13(9), 1506; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13091506 - 7 May 2021

Cited by 30 | Viewed by 4886

Abstract

Mater-Bi^® NF866 (MB) was blended with gum rosin and two pentaerythritol esters of gum rosin (labeled as LF and UT), as additives, to produce biobased and compostable films for food packaging or agricultural mulch films. The films were prepared by blending MB with 5, 10, and 15 wt.% of each additive. The obtained films were characterized by optical, colorimetric, wettability, and oxygen barrier properties. Moreover, the additives and the MB-based films were disintegrated under composting conditions and the effect of each additive on the biodegradation rate was studied. All films were homogeneous and optically transparent. The color of the films tended to yellow tones due to the addition of pine resin derivatives. All the formulated films presented a complete UV-transmittance blocking effect in the UVA and UVB region, and those with 5 wt.% of pine resin derivatives increased the MB hydrophobicity. Low amounts of resins tend to maintain the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) values of the neat MB, due to its good solubilizing and compatibilizing effects. The disintegration under composting conditions test revealed that gum rosin completely disintegrates in about 90 days, while UT degrades 80% and LF degrades 5%, over 180 days of incubation. As expected, the same tendency was obtained for the disintegration of the studied films, although Mater-Bi^® reach 28% of disintegrability over the 180 days of the composting test. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Modification of Bio-Based Polymers, Blends and Composites)

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