Advances in light-responsive food packaging: Mechanisms, applications, and challenges

IF 17.4 1区农林科学 Q1 FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Trends in Food Science & Technology Pub Date : 2026-04-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-19 DOI:10.1016/j.tifs.2026.105573

Jiaxin Zhao , Xinxin Xiao , Shasha Wei , Qingyang Wang , Qiao Ding , Yuqin Lei , Hongchao Zhang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Developing advanced intelligent and active packaging to prevent food quality deterioration and contamination is of great significance. Responsive packaging, which aims to monitor/improve food safety or quality through pH, temperature, biogenic gas, or light stimulation, has attracted extensive attention. Compared with other stimuli, light-responsive technology provides an appealing approach for developing highly precise and contactless intelligent and active food packaging.

Scope and approach

This work systematically describes the mechanisms of light-responsive packaging functionalized with various light-responsive materials and compounds, including natural organic compounds, synthetic organic compounds, carbon-based materials, metal oxides, and hybrid complexes. Meanwhile, the application progress of light-responsive packaging within food-related fields is emphasized. Additionally, the current limitations and challenges associated with light-responsive food packaging are discussed, and potential future research directions and development trends are proposed.

Key findings and conclusions

Light-responsive packaging, operating through mechanisms including photoluminescence, photochromism, photocatalysis, photo-controlled release, photothermal conversion, and reflection/scattering, not only offers innovative strategies for intelligent packaging, such as freshness/safety indicators and anti-counterfeiting labels, but also demonstrates excellent performance in antimicrobial activity, gas scavenging, controlled release, and photosensitive product protection. However, commercialization obstacles exist such as the migration of photosensitive compounds, light/heat instability of photosensitive dyes, and high cost of synthesizing advanced materials. Overcoming these challenges require advances in material innovation and manufacturing, supported by cross-disciplinary technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent sensing. Overall, this review presents a comprehensive summary of recent advances in light-responsive food packaging and offers theoretical insights and technical guidance to facilitate its broader application.

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光响应食品包装的进展：机制、应用和挑战

开发先进的智能主动包装，防止食品质量变质和污染具有重要意义。响应式包装，旨在通过pH值、温度、生物气体或光刺激来监测/改善食品安全或质量，引起了广泛的关注。与其他刺激相比，光响应技术为开发高精度、非接触式智能和活性食品包装提供了一种有吸引力的方法。本工作系统地描述了用各种光响应材料和化合物功能化光响应包装的机制，包括天然有机化合物、合成有机化合物、碳基材料、金属氧化物和杂化配合物。同时，重点介绍了光响应包装在食品相关领域的应用进展。此外，还讨论了目前光响应食品包装的局限性和面临的挑战，并提出了未来可能的研究方向和发展趋势。光响应包装通过光致发光、光致变色、光催化、光控释放、光热转换和反射/散射等机制进行操作，不仅为智能包装提供了创新策略，如新鲜度/安全性指标和防伪标签，而且在抗菌活性、气体清除、控释、以及光敏产品的保护。然而，光敏化合物的迁移、光敏染料的光/热不稳定性以及先进材料的高合成成本等都是其商业化的障碍。克服这些挑战需要材料创新和制造的进步，并得到人工智能（AI）和智能传感等跨学科技术的支持。总体而言，本文综述了光响应食品包装的最新进展，并提供了理论见解和技术指导，以促进其更广泛的应用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Trends in Food Science & Technology 工程技术-食品科技

CiteScore

32.50

自引率

2.60%

发文量

322

审稿时长

37 days

期刊介绍： Trends in Food Science & Technology is a prestigious international journal that specializes in peer-reviewed articles covering the latest advancements in technology, food science, and human nutrition. It serves as a bridge between specialized primary journals and general trade magazines, providing readable and scientifically rigorous reviews and commentaries on current research developments and their potential applications in the food industry. Unlike traditional journals, Trends in Food Science & Technology does not publish original research papers. Instead, it focuses on critical and comprehensive reviews to offer valuable insights for professionals in the field. By bringing together cutting-edge research and industry applications, this journal plays a vital role in disseminating knowledge and facilitating advancements in the food science and technology sector.