Research advances in the application of intelligent responsive hydrogels for controlled release and quality monitoring in foods

With the continuously increasing demand for intelligent and precise technologies in the food industry, intelligent responsive hydrogels, as an emerging class of functional materials, have demonstrated great application potential in controlled release and quality monitoring of food products. This article reviews recent research progress in intelligent responsive hydrogels in terms of base material selection and crosslinking methods, types of stimulus responsiveness, and underlying mechanisms. It elaborates on the design and application of intelligent hydrogels in controlled-release systems for food bioactive substances, covering antibacterial packaging, nutrient fortification, and flavor-controlled release. Additionally, the application of intelligent responsive hydrogels in food quality monitoring is summarized, including their use in food safety detection and food freshness monitoring, and future development trends of intelligent responsive hydrogels are prospected.