Temperature device system using the polymeric matrix of renewable resource

• Grant number: 12/05917-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2012
• End date: August 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Rosemary Aparecida de Carvalho
• Grantee: Lizandra Fregonezi Paludetti
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Food packaging materials promote efficient oxygen, humidity, flavors barriers and integrity of product. Although, temperature control depends on the transportation and storage conditions. In Brazil, a great extension country, 80% of distribution are made by road transport. Smart packing system is an innovative technology that communicates information about the quality and safety of product. This system involves the incorporation of a sensor or an indicator, which produces a signal (electric, colorimetric, etc.), as answer for any change of the initial packing conditions. By other side, the natural polymers application to produce flexible packing has been studied. Among the natural polymers, chitosan comes from a renewable source, and forms flexible and resistant films, with oxygen barrier. The aim of this work is to obtain lipid microcapsules incorporating a natural and thermo resistant pigment (urucum) that will apply as colorimetric indicator of temperature device. These colorimetric indicators will be incorporated in chitosan films matrix forming the material with potential application in smart packing systems. The lipid microcapsules will be dispersed into matrix, which can also optimize the oxygen barrier. The films will be characterized by mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, microstructure (MEV). The colour performance indication will be evaluate submitting the system to different temperature conditions, and the colour parameters variation of the matrix color will be measure, using a colorimeter. (AU)