Talanta 2010-05-15

Development of a novel colorimetric indicator label for monitoring freshness of intermediate-moisture dessert spoilage.

Atchareeya Nopwinyuwong, Sudsai Trevanich, Panuwat Suppakul

Index: Talanta 81(3) , 1126-32, (2010)

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Abstract

A colorimetric mixed pH dye-based indicator with potential for the development of intelligent packaging, as a "chemical barcode" for real-time monitoring of intermediate-moisture dessert spoilage, is described. This on-package indicator contains mixed pH-sensitive dyes, bromothymol blue and methyl red, that respond through visible color change to carbon dioxide (CO(2)) as a spoilage metabolite. Both indicator solution and indicator label characteristics were studied, as well as their response to CO(2). A kinetic approach was used to correlate the response of the indicator label to the changes in intermediate-moisture dessert spoilage. Color changes, in terms of total color difference of a mixed pH dye-based indicator, correlated well with CO(2) levels of intermediate-moisture dessert. Trials on golden drop have verified that the indicator response correlates with microbial growth patterns in dessert samples, thus enabling the real-time monitoring of spoilage either at various constant temperatures or with temperature fluctuation.