Application of Interactive and Intelligent Packaging for Fresh Fish Shelf-Life Monitoring

Abstract

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Smart packaging, also known as intelligent packaging, is responsive to external stimuli, moisture, light, oxygen, heat, pH, and bacterial growth. It has evolved from extensive applications in food safety, bacterial response, and medical packaging. Interactive packaging has a scientific basis for additional information about food products because these codes give all required data. This work deals with a combination of frontline food sciences, smart and interactive packaging that are applicable for future production of nutrition packages through smart detection of food spooling. Additionally, it verifies the best degree of food safety and population demands as the third generation of packaging technology. High qualified duplex laminated package with a nano-encapsulated pH monitoring label for fresh fish was printed. The interactive Quick Response code icon was combined in a designed package with important information about cooking, smart packaging, and fish quality. Therefore, particle size, zeta potential, and surface area are measured for a nanoencapsulated indicator which exhibits 74.4 nm, 23.6 mV, and 88.9 m2/g, respectively: overall migration, water vapor, and oxygen permeability. The properties of printing for 11 color spots are evaluated by x-rite before and after the cold storage period without any detectable changes in the rate of color change (ΔE). The bacterial count of the tested sample is examined by counting the microbial colonies in the agar plate media. There is good agreement between microbial count and smart indicator color change as an effective direct detection tool for sustainable food quality and safety.

Keywords

• smart packaging
• food quality
• interactive package
• shelf life
• Nile perch