Development of intelligent food packaging from turmeric (Curcuma longa)

In this study, intelligent food packaging in the forms of film and coating were developed based on starch, chitosan and curcumin extracted from turmeric. Solvent casting method was applied to develop the film. Both of the film and coating were evaluated and compared by their chemical, physical and biological properties. The film was evaluated in terms of tensile strength measurement, FTIR spectroscopy, antioxidant activity before its application on strawberry, and antimicrobial activity as well as color difference parameters after application on the strawberry. In addition, the stability of both film and coating were evaluated by their application on strawberries and to identify their potential use as intelligent food packaging to monitor the freshness of the strawberries at two different conditions which are at room temperature and chiller temperature during 5 days storage. The results obtained shows that both of the film and coating have a greater stability at chiller temperature as compared to storage at room temperature and both have a strong antioxidant activity and strong antimicrobial activity that they delayed the spoilage of the strawberries. Therefore, the film and coating based on starch, chitosan and curcumin can be used to monitor freshness of refrigerated food and have the potential to be used as intelligent food packaging.