Screening freshness of seafood by measuring trimethylamine (TMA) levels using helium-plasma ionization mass spectrometry (HePI-MS)

Development of active packaging film based on poly (lactic acid) incorporated with Piper betel leaf ethanolic extract and its application in the shelf-life extension of tuna meat

Active packaging films based on poly (lactic acid) (PLA) were developed by adding different concentrations (5 wt% and 10 wt%) of betel leaf (Piper betel) ethanolic extract (BLEE). The extract showed excellent antioxidant (80.2 %) and antimicrobial properties (18.05 and 16.05 mm against S. aureus and E. coli respectively). The films' structural, functional, and mechanical attributes were studied, along with their potential for extending the shelf life of tuna meat. The water solubility and water permeability were reduced with the incorporation of BLEE; while the tensile strength showed an inverse relationship with the concentration, 214.5 kg/cm2 (5 wt%), and to 307.6 kg/cm2 (10 wt%). The lipid oxidation in PLA-BLEE-packed tuna meat stored under refrigeration (7 days) showed a significant reduction, which could be attributed to the phenolic migration from the films. The new PLA-BLEE films with significant antibacterial and film attributes could be used in food packaging and to extend the shelf life of commodities that have been packaged.

Emerging Applications of Versatile Polyaniline-Based Polymers in the Food Industry

Intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) have been widely studied in various applications, such as sensors, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and semiconductors. Specifically, polyaniline (PANI) stands out in food industry applications due to its advantageous reversible redox properties, electrical conductivity, and simple modification. The rising concerns about food safety and security have encouraged the development of PANI as an antioxidant, antimicrobial agent, food freshness indicator, and electronic nose. At the same time, it plays an important role in food safety control to ensure the quality of food. This study reviews the emerging applications of PANI in the food industry. It has been found that the versatile applications of PANI allow the advancement of modern active and intelligent food packaging and better food quality monitoring systems.

Chemosensor Strip from Kepok Banana Bracts Extract (Musa paradisiaca L.) for Detection of Tuna Freshness

Anthocyanins as chemosensory compounds for amines have been tested in this study. Because anthocyanins are sensitive to pH changes, while amines have an alkaline nature, they can cause structural changes in anthocyanins, resulting in changes in the color of anthocyanins. The source of anthocyanins was the Kepok banana bracts (Musa paradisiaca L.), which were extracted using a mixture of ethanol:HCl 0.15% (3:2). The types of anthocyanin compounds were characterized using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The anthocyanin content obtained varied from 1.26 mg/100 g to 5.08 mg/100 g. The type of anthocyanin in the Kepok banana bracts was found as a cyanidin-3-rutinoside with maximum absorption at 513 nm at pH 1. The color of anthocyanin extract varied with changes in pH; it turned red in acid and faded in neutral solutions. The green color in the alkaline solution changes to brownish-yellow was associated with anthocyanin degradation. The color change at different pH indicates that banana bracts are regarded as a potential chemosensory compound to detect tuna freshness. The chemosensor was applied to a cellulose-based strip and exhibited a color change that corresponded to the increase in pH and was comparable to the results of the pH meter measurement. The structural changes of anthocyanin before and after the tuna freshness test were identified by the FTIR-ATR, indicating a change in the anthocyanin structure. Tuna freshness began to diminish after being stored for 12 and 24 hours at room temperature, marked by a color change of the paper strip to colorless and blackish gray.