Smart and Sustainable Bilayer Packaging Film Enabling Smartphone-Based Colorimetric Detection of Pork Spoilage
摘要
A dual-layer film based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, zinc alginate, and Hylocereus undatus peel extract was developed for intelligent food packaging applications. The protective layer, prepared by solution casting and surface modification, exhibited enhanced hydrophobicity and barrier performance, with water vapor permeability decreasing from 0.32 × 10⁻10 to 0.097 × 10⁻10 g/m·s·Pa and the water contact angle approaching 90°. The functional layer, fabricated via layer-by-layer assembly, showed pH-sensitive and reversible color responses under simulated spoilage conditions relevant to meat storage. Synergistic intermolecular interactions improved structural integrity, optical transparency, and ultraviolet (UV) shielding, reducing UV transmittance by more than 80%. The dual-layer film effectively mitigated food spoilage by reducing mass loss by approximately 30%, maintaining pH stability, and suppressing total volatile basic nitrogen to below acceptable freshness limits. Furthermore, smartphone-assisted colorimetric analysis enabled rapid, low-cost, and on-site detection of CO2 and NH3 emissions, highlighting the practical applicability of the system. By integrating biodegradable, waste-derived materials with digital sensing technology, this study provides a sustainable and innovative strategy for intelligent food packaging and food safety management.