# Construction and application of sustained-release active intelligent packaging incorporating phenolic acid copigmented Aronia melanocarpa anthocyanins and microencapsulated carvacrol

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new type of packaging that uses plant compounds to monitor freshness and prevent bacteria, extending shrimp shelf life by 12 hours.

## Contribution

A novel active intelligent packaging system combining copigmented anthocyanins and microencapsulated carvacrol for sustained antibacterial and freshness indication.

## Key findings

- Ferulic acid copigmentation stabilizes Aronia melanocarpa anthocyanins, maintaining color sensitivity through acid-base cycles.
- Carvacrol encapsulated in hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin provides sustained antibacterial release over 96 hours.
- The packaging film extends shrimp shelf life by 12 hours and visually indicates spoilage via color change.

## Abstract

Active intelligent packaging often suffers from insufficient indicator sensitivity and limited antibacterial duration. To overcome these limitations, the system incorporates Aronia melanocarpa anthocyanins (AMA) copigmented by phenolic acid, carvacrol (CL) encapsulated by hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), and integrates these components into potato starch (PS) to produce a multifunctional film with enhanced indicator sensitivity and sustained release properties. The results revealed that ferulic acid (FA) provided notable stabilizing effect on AMA, maintaining ΔE < 1 after two cycles of acid-base alternation. The incorporation of HP-β-CD allowed for efficient encapsulation of CL through hydrogen bonding, achieving sustained release over 96 h. The incorporation of FA-AMA and CL@HP-β-CD system improved the roughness, UV-blocking, and antioxidant performance of the film. Additionally, the film extended shrimp shelf life by 12 h, with a visible transition from pink to blue upon spoilage. This research offers a novel approach to the advancement of active intelligent packaging.

•FA copigmented AMA stabilizes AMA to enhance the color sensitivity of films.•CL was embedded to achieve slow-release antibacterial.•Construct a packaging with both freshness indication and long-term antibacterial.•The film extends shrimp shelf life by 12 h through non-contact preservation.

FA copigmented AMA stabilizes AMA to enhance the color sensitivity of films.

CL was embedded to achieve slow-release antibacterial.

Construct a packaging with both freshness indication and long-term antibacterial.

The film extends shrimp shelf life by 12 h through non-contact preservation.