Intelligent Films Based on Lobeira Fruit Starch for Fresh Chicken Meat Quality Monitoring

The use of intelligent films as colorimetric indicator devices in food packaging provides information about changes in the pH, time, temperature and microbiological properties of the product. These devices enable consumers to analyze food with the naked eye, ensuring food safety and quality. Thus, this study explores the use of lobeira (Solanum lycocarpum L.) native starch starch and vanillin in the development of colorimetric indicator films for monitoring chicken meat deterioration, aiming at enhancing food packaging safety and longevity. Films were prepared through a casting method using starch, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and varying concentrations of vanillin. These indicator films were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and thermal analysis. In this study, degradation monitoring of chicken meat at 12 and 25°C was also performed. Subsequently, color changes in the indicator films were observed over time, indicating meat spoilage. Results revealed that films containing 0.05% and 0.1% vanillin concentrations exhibited more pronounced color changes, indicating higher sensitivity to meat deterioration. Overall, the findings suggest that the developed films, incorporating vanillin as a colorimetric indicator, hold promise for real-time monitoring of food quality and safety within packaging systems, thus contributing to improved consumer protection and product shelf life.