Smart packaging that changes color: Peruvian invention warns about food decomposition

One of the health problems in our country is the correct preservation of food. For this reason, Peruvian researchers have developed intelligent packaging that has the ability to alert about the status of food through a change in color. This is a technology in development, but it already promises to be a more precise alternative to traditional expiration dates.

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Javier Nakamatsu Kuniyoshi, co-researcher and professor of Chemistry at the PUCP, and Efraín Castro Alayo, co-researcher and professor at the Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza National University of Amazonas (UNTRM) also participate in the project.

The system works based on biosensors that react to gases and variations in acidity (pH) generated during decomposition. These changes activate a visual response on the packaging, allowing you to quickly and easily identify whether a product is still suitable for consumption.

Another characteristic is that it does not affect biodiversity. It uses anthocyanins, natural compounds present in fruits such as purple corn, blueberries and elderberries, which are integrated into biodegradable materials. This combination allows the incorporation of antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that contribute to prolonging the useful life of food.