High throughput non-destructive assessment of quality and safety of packaged food products using phosphorescent oxygen sensors

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Intelligent and active packaging technologies have gained attention in recent time due to increased demand by the consumers and manufacturers for sustaining the quality and safety of food products, improved shelf-life as well as real time monitoring of the packaging, storage and handling processes. In this context, phosphorescence based sensors for molecular oxygen (O2) are important tools for monitoring of packaged products, new product development and optimisation. They allow fast, reversible, real-time and quantitative monitoring of residual O2 levels in a non-destructive manner, being superior over alternative systems. In this review, we describe the main types of phosphorescent O2-sensitive materials, fabrication methods and general requirements for sensors for food packaging applications. The main developments and representative examples are provided which illustrate the application of such sensors for monitoring of gaseous and dissolved O2 in various types of packaged foods and beverages. We also compare commercial O2 sensing instrumentation and disposable O2 sensors currently in use.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)85-102
Number of pages18
JournalTrends in Food Science and Technology
Volume50
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2016

Keywords

  • Disposable sensors
  • Food and beverage packaging
  • Food safety
  • High throughput analysis
  • MAP foods
  • Non-destructive analysis
  • Optical oxygen sensors
  • Phosphorescence lifetime based oxygen sensing
  • Quality assurance
  • Residual oxygen

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