Research Progress of pH-Responsive Indicator Films for Real-Time Food Quality Monitoring.
- 1School of Packaging Engineering, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou 412007, China.
Abstract
Facing global food waste and safety challenges, real-time nondestructive quality monitoring via intelligent packaging has gained substantial interest. This narrative review critically examines the progress of pH-responsive freshness indicator films, with a particular emphasis on their application to meat and meat products, and emphasizes the transition from empirical exploration toward rational design. Methodologically, we synthesize recent advances in natural pigment-based indicators, focusing on their fabrication strategies (micro/nanoencapsulation, metal-organic framework immobilization, pigment blending, and matrix engineering) and performance evaluation models integrating multivariate statistical tools (principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and discriminant analysis). The results reveal that replacing synthetic dyes with anthocyanins and betalains significantly mitigates the inherent toxicity risks, while advanced immobilization and blending strategies substantially overcome poor stability and high dye migration, achieving synergistic improvements in sensitivity, anti-interference, and mechanical durability. Furthermore, establishing a comprehensive evaluation framework linking total volatile basic nitrogen accumulation to color-change thresholds is crucial for accurate interpretation. We conclude that the field is shifting from single-function validation toward multi-signal responsiveness, digital integration, and systematic implementation. It should be noted, however, that the colorimetric response of these indicators reflects quality attributes such as TVB-N accumulation rather than the presence of pathogens or toxins; therefore, these indicators cannot independently establish food safety. Future breakthroughs require addressing environmental robustness, long-term reliability, standardized evaluation protocols, and scalable cost-effective production to facilitate the transition from laboratory research to practical supply chain deployment.
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BibTeX
@article{li2026research,
title = {{Research Progress of pH-Responsive Indicator Films for Real-Time Food Quality Monitoring.}},
author = {Zhijie Li and Xincheng Duan and Rongxin Wu and Jianchao Wang and Zhiyong Yang and Danfei Liu},
journal = {Foods (Basel, Switzerland)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/foods15193566},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42883671},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Research Progress of pH-Responsive Indicator Films for Real-Time Food Quality Monitoring.
AU - Zhijie Li
AU - Xincheng Duan
AU - Rongxin Wu
AU - Jianchao Wang
AU - Zhiyong Yang
AU - Danfei Liu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/08
JO - Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
DO - 10.3390/foods15193566
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42883671
AB - Facing global food waste and safety challenges, real-time nondestructive quality monitoring via intelligent packaging has gained substantial interest. This narrative review critically examines the progress of pH-responsive freshness indicator films, with a particular emphasis on their application to meat and meat products, and emphasizes the transition from empirical exploration toward rational design. Methodologically, we synthesize recent advances in natural pigment-based indicators, focusing on their fabrication strategies (micro/nanoencapsulation, metal-organic framework immobilization, pigment blending, and matrix engineering) and performance evaluation models integrating multivariate statistical tools (principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and discriminant analysis). The results reveal that replacing synthetic dyes with anthocyanins and betalains significantly mitigates the inherent toxicity risks, while advanced immobilization and blending strategies substantially overcome poor stability and high dye migration, achieving synergistic improvements in sensitivity, anti-interference, and mechanical durability. Furthermore, establishing a comprehensive evaluation framework linking total volatile basic nitrogen accumulation to color-change thresholds is crucial for accurate interpretation. We conclude that the field is shifting from single-function validation toward multi-signal responsiveness, digital integration, and systematic implementation. It should be noted, however, that the colorimetric response of these indicators reflects quality attributes such as TVB-N accumulation rather than the presence of pathogens or toxins; therefore, these indicators cannot independently establish food safety. Future breakthroughs require addressing environmental robustness, long-term reliability, standardized evaluation protocols, and scalable cost-effective production to facilitate the transition from laboratory research to practical supply chain deployment.
SN - 2304-8158
ER -