US-12616217-B2 - Food packaging films for food storage and freshness monitoring

US12616217B2US 12616217 B2US12616217 B2US 12616217B2US-12616217-B2

Abstract

A pH responsive film for indicating food freshness includes a protein, a polysaccharide, and anthocyanin, wherein the protein and the polysaccharide form a protein/polysaccharide matrix within the film, and wherein the film is sufficient to change color in response to a change in pH of the film. Methods of making and using the film are included in the present disclosure. Food preservation systems utilizing the film are also presented.

Inventors

Fawzi Banat
Vengatesan Muthukumaraswamy RANGARAJ
Mohammad ABU HAIJA
Fathima Sumaiya Mohamed RAFEEK

Assignees

Khalifa University of Science and Technology

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20230605

Claims (6)

1 . A food preservation system, the food preservation system comprising: a film for preserving freshness of a food item, the film including a protein, a polysaccharide, and a date seed extract including anthocyanin, wherein a weight percentage of the date seed extract in the film ranges from about 1 wt. % to about 40 wt. %, and wherein the film provides a colorimetric indication sufficient to indicate freshness of the food item.
2 . The food preservation system of claim 1 , wherein the protein includes gelatin.
3 . The food preservation system of claim 1 , wherein the polysaccharide includes chitosan.
4 . The food preservation system of claim 1 , wherein the date seed extract includes a total anthocyanin content (TAC) ranging from 0.5 mg/g to 4 mg/g.
5 . The food preservation system of claim 1 , wherein the indicating freshness of the food item includes a color change of the film in response to a change in pH of the film.
6 . The food preservation system of claim 1 , wherein the indicating freshness of the food item includes a color change of the film in response to volatile organic amines released by the food item.

Description

BACKGROUND Food packaging systems are essential for maintaining food quality and safety during storage and transportation. Further, food packaging systems protect against microbial decay. Currently, most food packaging systems include fossil-based food packaging materials. These fossil-based food packaging materials present significant environmental concerns as they are not biodegradable, compostable, or edible. Accordingly, there is great demand for the creation and use of smart food packaging that is both biodegradable and edible. Smart food packaging that is both edible and sufficient for food-quality monitoring is an effective alternative to fossil-based food packaging. Smart food packaging capable of food-quality monitoring may replace synthetic food additives and may ensure that food is safe to consume. Further, smart food packaging providing antioxidant and antimicrobial properties can increase the shelf-life of food. SUMMARY According to one aspect, a pH responsive film for indicating food freshness includes a protein, a polysaccharide, and anthocyanin, wherein the protein and the polysaccharide form a protein/polysaccharide matrix within the film, and wherein the film is sufficient to change color in response to a change in pH of the film. According to another aspect, a method of monitoring food freshness includes providing one or more food items and sealing the one or more food items with a film, wherein the film includes a colorimetric indicator sufficient to indicate freshness of the one or more food items and the film includes a protein, a polysaccharide, glycerol, and anthocyanin. According to another aspect, a food preservation system includes a film for preserving freshness of a food item, the film including a protein, a polysaccharide, and anthocyanin, wherein the film includes a colorimetric indicator sufficient to indicate freshness of the food item. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS This written disclosure describes illustrative embodiments that are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is made to illustrative embodiments that are depicted in the figures, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a method 100 of monitoring food freshness, according to some embodiments. FIG. 2 illustrates a method 200 of making a film, according to some embodiments. FIG. 3 illustrates an FT-IR spectra of CG (control), DSE (date seed extract), and CGD (chitosan/gelatin/DSE) films, according to some embodiments. FIG. 4A illustrates a cross-section SEM image of CG (chitosan/gelatin), according to some embodiments. FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-section SEM image of CGD1 (chitosan/gelatin/DSE), according to some embodiments. FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-section SEM image of CGD3 (chitosan/gelatin/DSE), according to some embodiments. FIG. 4D illustrates a cross-section SEM image of CGD5 (chitosan/gelatin/DSE), according to some embodiments. FIG. 5 illustrates antioxidant efficiency of DSE-based gelatin/chitosan smart films, according to some embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates the NH3 response of DSE-based smart gelatin/chitosan films, according to some embodiments. FIG. 7 illustrates real-time freshness monitoring of shrimp using CG, CGD1, CGD3, and CGD5 films, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definitions As used herein, the term “edible” refers to items that may be safely consumed by humans and animals. As used herein, the term “extract” refers to a substance or compound removed from another substance or compound. For example, extract may refer to a compound taken from a plant, flower, fruit, and seed. Extract may refer to an oil extract or a botanical-based essential oil. As used herein, the term “film” may refer to a separating layer of material. For example, a film may be used for separating an item from a fluid. A film may be flexible and may be used to seal a food item. The film may be any portion of food packaging used to seal the food item. The term film may refer to a coating or membrane. A film may be formed through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. As used herein, the term “food” refers to any edible substance or compound. Food may refer to a substance consumed by a human or animal for nutritional support. For example, food may refer to meat, poultry, fish, pork, and beef. Food may refer to carbohydrates, grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, and fat. As used herein, the term “freshness” refers to the quality of food and/or the safety of the food. For example, fresh food may be food that has not spoiled yet. Freshness may refer to the taste, color, and smell of food. In one example, food harvested more recently is fresher than food harvested less recently. As used herein, the term “packaging” refers to an enclosure, container, film, and/or surrounding for a food product. For example, packaging may refer to a container for holding/storing a food product and a film for sealing the container. Packaging may refer to a flexible film for substantially sealing