journal article·2024-10-01Open access

Thermochromic Polymers in Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Patent Landscape Analysis

Colette Breheny, Kieran Donlon, Alan Harrington, Declan Mary Colbert, Gilberto S. N. Bezerra, Luke M. Geever

Coatings· Volume 14· Issue 10

Abstract

This study addresses the gap in research on the application of thermochromic polymers (TPs) in food packaging and their potential for real-time temperature monitoring, aiding in the assessment of food quality and shelf-life. TPs exhibit a visible color change in response to temperature variations. A comprehensive systematic review (SR) across multiple engineering peer-review databases using predefined terms was conducted. Additionally, international patent databases were investigated using the same predefined terms. Independent experts reviewed the methodology to identify and address potential biases. A total of 288 eligible articles and 922 patents were identified. After a duplicate selection and extraction process according to the inclusion criteria, four related full-text publications were selected from the initial 288 articles, and five relevant patents were selected from the 922 patents. The qualitative review suggests that TPs hold significant promise as food packaging materials due to their unique physical properties. The study concludes that TPs offer valuable properties for the food packaging industry, meriting further investigation to exploit their benefits fully.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Polydiacetylene-based materials and applications · Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging · Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

PRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon, University Road, N37 HD68 Athlone, Ireland

Independent Researcher, N37 E656 Athlone, Ireland

Independent Researcher, N37 RT29 Athlone, Ireland

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