TITLE:
Development of temperature indicator prototype: Cardpaper coated with chitosan intelligent films
AUTHORS:
Vinicius B. V. Maciel, Cristiana M. P. Yoshida, Telma T. Franco
KEYWORDS:
Chitosan; Anthocyanin; Temperature Indicator; Coating; Card Paper
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment,
Vol.3 No.1B,
January
16,
2014
ABSTRACT: An intelligent and
biodegradable material pack- aging was developed based on a natural and
thermal-sensitive pigment. Anthocyanin (ATH, 0.50 g/100g) was incorporated into chitosan matrix
films (2 g/100g)
forming a chitosan intelligent film (C-ATH). The
system is able to indicate the variation of temperature during distribution
and storage chain of industrial products. The novelty of this work was an
alternative packaging material that it is biodegradable and could inform any
temperature variations on the range of 40?C - 70?C, by irreversible visual colour changes.
The effects of temperature (10?C, 30?C and 50?C) and luminosity (0, 500 and 1000 l×) were analyzed on C-ATH using an experimental design of 2
variables, measuring the colour parameters (L*, a*, b*)
and mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation break and Young’s
modulus) as responses. C-ATH suspensions were
applied as a coating on cardpaper surface forming a temperature indicator prototype (TIP). C-ATH darkened after
being exposed to temper- atures above 50?C and luminosity of 1000 lx for 72 hours. TIP was obtained,
without bubbles or defects, with reduced water absorption capacity. Irreversible visual colour change was verified on TIP exposed
at 40?C
independently of luminosity, turned gradually yellow. Chitosan suspensions
containing ATH and applied as a coated on card paper sheets could be an
alternative of biode-gradable material for
packaging system that indicates efficiently
temperature changes. This indicator system has
potential application temperature range of 40?C to 70?C, such as food, pharmaceuticals, biological, agricultural and others
products, that are highly dependent of storage temperature conditions.