Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
14:23
Design and Optimization Strategies of a High-Performance Vented Box
Published on: June 9, 2023
Curcumin-, Anthocyanin-, and Carotenoid-Based Active and Intelligent Packaging Systems for Food Preservation and
Xiaocheng Pan1, Yangkun Xing1, Jianfeng Wang2
1Jiyang College, Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji 311800, China.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Natural pigments like curcumin, anthocyanins, and carotenoids offer sustainable solutions for food preservation and freshness monitoring. Encapsulation improves their stability and functionality, but challenges remain for commercial application.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Materials Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Growing consumer demand for safe, sustainable food preservation drives interest in natural pigments.
- Natural pigments are explored as multifunctional components in active and intelligent food systems.
- Current systems face challenges in stability, performance, and scalability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review natural pigment-based systems (curcumin, anthocyanins, carotenoids) for food preservation and monitoring.
- To analyze mechanisms, material strategies, performance, and challenges of these systems.
- To identify future research directions for practical applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of curcumin-, anthocyanin-, and carotenoid-based food systems.
- Analysis of pigment mechanisms (antioxidant, antimicrobial, colorimetric).
- Evaluation of incorporation into various matrices (films, nanocarriers, etc.).
Main Results:
- Curcumin offers antioxidant, antimicrobial, and photoresponsive properties.
- Anthocyanins provide pH/amine-responsive colorimetric freshness indicators.
- Carotenoids act as antioxidants, inhibiting lipid oxidation.
- Encapsulation in biopolymers, nanocarriers, and other systems enhances pigment performance.
- Challenges include solubility, stability, matrix effects, safety, and scalability.
Conclusions:
- Natural pigments show promise for active and intelligent food systems.
- Material strategies like encapsulation are crucial for improving pigment efficacy.
- Further research is needed for real-world validation and scalable, safe commercial systems.
Keywords:
antioxidant and antimicrobial activitycolorimetric indicatorspH-responsive filmsshelf-life extensionMore Related Videos
09:50Enhanced Photoluminescence of Curcuma longa Extracts via Chitosan-Mediated Energy Transfer for Textile Authentication Applications
Published on: December 22, 2023
07:07Controlled-release of Chlorine Dioxide in a Perforated Packaging System to Extend the Storage Life and Improve the Safety of Grape Tomatoes
Published on: April 7, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:26Methods of Controlling Food Spoilage
Food spoilage is caused by microbial growth or by chemical and physical changes, all of which affect the taste, texture, and safety of food.Temperature-Based PreservationRefrigeration at 0–4 °C slows microbial growth and enzyme activity, making it ideal for short-term storage. However, certain spoilage organisms—such as psychrotrophs like Listeria monocytogenes—can still proliferate at these temperatures. Freezing below -18 °C further slows biological processes by forming ice crystals, which...
01:27Principles of Food Preservation
Food spoilage results from microbial growth, enzymatic activity, and environmental factors that gradually degrade the sensory, nutritional, and safety qualities of food. Preservation techniques aim to slow or halt these processes to extend shelf life and maintain product quality.A key concept in food microbiology is the microbial growth curve, which includes four phases: lag, exponential (log), stationary, and death. During the lag phase, bacteria adjust to their environment without significant...
01:28Pasteurization and Food Preservation
Pasteurization is a widely employed thermal processing technique designed to enhance the safety and shelf life of perishable food and beverages. By subjecting products to specific high temperatures for controlled durations, this method effectively inactivates pathogenic microorganisms and spoilage enzymes without significantly compromising sensory qualities. The technique has been pivotal in food safety management, especially for consumables susceptible to microbial contamination such as milk,...
01:05Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention
Improving a drug's stability in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is paramount for enhancing its bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness. Various strategies are employed to protect the drug from the harsh gastric milieu and to ensure its release and absorption at the desired site within the GI tract.Polymer coatings are one such method used to shield drugs from the stomach's acidic environment. By preventing premature drug release, these coatings improve the bioavailability of unstable...
02:35Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the atmosphere, the...
01:24Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers
Polymeric carriers enhance targeted drug delivery by increasing efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. These carriers comprise a biodegradable polymeric backbone integrated with functional elements that enable targeting, improve physicochemical properties, and regulate drug release.Targeting MechanismsThe targeting ability of polymeric carriers is mediated by a homing device, which is a molecular recognition component designed to selectively bind to specific tissues or cells. Monoclonal...