Anthocyanin incorporated pectin/sericin biofilms for food packaging and shrimp freshness monitoring.

Sensing biofilms for food preservation and spoilage monitoring have garnered increasing attention due to their promising applications in food safety. In this study, biodegradable films composed of pectin and sericin, incorporating anthocyanins from butterfly pea flowers (PSA), were successfully developed for preserving bananas and monitoring shrimp freshness. Optimal biofilm formulation was achieved using 10% anthocyanins, 40% glycerol, and a fabrication temperature of 70 °C. Functionally, the PSA biofilms demonstrated notable antioxidant capacity with DPPH and H₂O₂ radical scavenging activities of 33.79 ± 1.02% and 51.07 ± 1.16%, respectively. They also displayed effective antimicrobial activity against four bacterial strains. In preservation trials, bananas coated with the PSA biofilm retained freshness for up to 13 days. PSA-wrapped shrimp stored at -20 °C retained better freshness for up to 9 days relative to controls. The colorimetric detection threshold of the biofilm was identified at 18.39 ± 0.55 mgN/100 g, confirming its sensitivity for early spoilage detection. The PSA biofilm demonstrates strong potential as an active packaging material with dual functionality: extending shelf life and serving as a visual and real-time indicator for seafood freshness.