A carboxymethyl cellulose-based hydrogel sensor that can monitor surface compressive force and blue light-activated antibacterial properties in real time, used for preserving loquats

This study develops a novel self-monitoring hydrogel via UV-initiated crosslinking of carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC) with silver nanowires(AgNW) and curcumin-β-cyclodextrin (CUR-β-CD), aimed to prolong loquat shelf life. Structural and morphological analysis indicates that hydrogels exhibit stable porous network structures and outstanding mechanical properties when CMC/AgNW/CaCl 2 /cellulose nanofibers (MICCA) are added at concentrations of 0.54 g, 0.8 mL, 1 mL, and 1.9 g, respectively. These hydrogels demonstrate a hardness of 60.67 N (a 338% increase) and a rebound elasticity of 3.943 mm. The hydrogel exhibited pH-dependent swelling(30.12% at pH=5;66.85% at pH=9)and thermal stability(29.46% residue at 800°C). Notably, the material integrates silver nanowires (AgNWs) at an optimal content of 0.016% to construct a piezoresistive sensing unit with a gauge factor of 3.59. It also combines with curcumin-β-cyclodextrin (CUR-β-CD) inclusion complexes at 0.2%, which are activated by blue light to realize efficient photodynamic antimicrobials, achieving inhibition rates of 92.28% and 95.14% against E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes, respectively. This system significantly improves the preservation performance of loquat, extending its shelf-life by 6 days compared to the control group. This dual-function system integrates mechanical-force sensing with on-demand antimicrobial action, offering an active strategy for intelligent fruit preservation.