Highly TVB-N sensitive film with CMS as the ‘bridge’ via electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bond self-assembly for monitoring food freshness in intelligent packaging

This work aims to develop the novel TVB-N sensitive film for monitoring food freshness. The film was fabricated based on carboxymethyl starch sodium (CMS)/agar (AG) complex and natural pigment, red radish anthocyanins (RRA). However, RRA is highly unstable under high humid conditions for their hydrophily. To immobilize RRA in AG film, we brought up CMS (negative charge) to immobilize RRA (positive charge) via electrostatic attractions and combined CMS and AG via hydrogen bond self-assembly. Zeta potential, Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR) spectra, and X-ray diffraction analysis proved the electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bond self-assembly effect, indicating RRA immobilized effectively. Migration evaluation displayed that RRA remained stable in a high humidity environment (from RH 35%–95%). And its color difference is less than 5% in the low-temperature environment (4 °C). The prepared sensing film was found to be applied to detect the freshness of packaged grass carp and shrimp products. Its colors changed from initial orange-red to light red (3rd day) and then purple (4th day) with the increase of volatile amines inside the packaging. These findings suggested the film can be used as a sensing device for intelligent packaging of protein-rich food.