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pH-Sensitive Packaging Films for Detecting Food Spoilage

Detailed Technology Description

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*Abstract

Polymeric Film Monitors Food Spoilage via pH Levels to Increase Overall Food Safety

This polymeric film uses a pH-sensitive dye to detect spoilage in packaged food products to monitor food spoilage and thereby enhance safety. Food spoilage represents a major problem worldwide; more than one third of all food produced for consumption is wasted or spoiled. Food spoilage occurs at various stages of processing and can be detected by a change in pH, making it feasible to use pH to monitor spoilage relative to expiration date and determine whether a food product is safe for consumption, transportation, or storage. Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a polymer packaging film that incorporates a pH indicator dye. This novel film uses glycerol to create dendrimeric nanocapsules, which along with the pH-sensitive dye are incorporated into the polymer.

Application

Spoilage-detecting packaging film for food products

Advantages

• Incorporates pH-sensitive dye into the packaging film, improving food safety by detecting spoilage based on pH change
• Utilizes the agricultural by-product glycerol in the polymerization process, potentially resulting in a sustainable and cost-effective production of the film

Technology

This partially bio-based polymer film encapsulates pH-sensitive dye to detect food spoilage based on its pH levels. By incorporating stimuli-responsive and agricultural by-product materials, University of Florida researchers have developed a sustainable, cost-effective polymer packaging film for food products to detect spoilage. Researchers used glycerol, which results from the waste stream of biodiesel production, to synthesize a triacrylate monomer. The synthesized glycerol is then used to produce dendrimeric nanocapsules copolymerized in the presence of pH-sensitive dye, thereby encapsulating the dye into the polymer. Though proof of concept was established with the pH-sensitive dye in these experiments, other physical and chemical stimuli could be used in the polymer film for detecting food spoilage.

*Principal Investigator

Name: Zhaohui Tong

Department:

Name: Suguna Jairam

Department:

Country/Region

USA