Dual-responsive gelatin/fucoidan-based membrane with colorimetric and control-released performance for meat freshness monitoring and preservation

Food packaging combined with active and intelligent properties plays an essential role in minimizing food waste and guaranteeing food quality. Herein, we developed a colorimetric and control-released dual-responsive nanofiber membrane (GF-AE-LI) with gelatin/fucoidan (GA/FU, i.e., GF) as matrix, aloe-emodin (AE) as indicator and limonene (LI) as antibacterial entity by electrospinning. The results exhibited that an appropriate combination of GA and FU based on the electrostatic interaction was conducive to constructing a carrier of GF in response to an alkaline atmosphere. The AE and LI were encapsulated in GF nanofibers with high efficiency and well-kept structure. Moreover, the membrane was capable of pH-controlled release of LI by a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism and strong antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli . Furthermore, the membrane can effectively extend the shelf life of chicken breast meat by 2 d, and its pH-colorimetric changes were highly correlated with the spoilage indices (Pearson′s r = 0.9554), demonstrating the potential of GF-AE-LI toward simultaneously freshness monitoring and preservation of food.