3D Printing of Metal-Organic-Framework (MOF) on Fishery Packaging for Real Time Freshness Monitoring

Abstract

The fabrication of colorimetric sensors via three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is an emerging field of research in recent times due to its cost-effectiveness, design freedom, and efficient use of sensing material. Herein, we utilize this technology to fabricate 3D printed multiplex tags (3D-PMTs) on textile fabric substrate to monitor real-time freshness of packaged fish. We prepare three sodium alginate (SA) based inks containing: rose anthocyanin incorporated metal-organic framework (RA-MOF) (pH indicator), curcumin incorporated metal-organic framework (Cur-MOF) (pH indicator), and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) (H2S indicator), respectively. We demonstrate that the incorporation of these indicators into the cross-linked sodium alginate (SA) does not affect their colorimetric response towards pH change and H2S. The 3D-PMTs exhibited excellent sensitivity, colorimetric response, and stability. These characteristics of the 3D-PMTs enable us to visually monitor the freshness of the packaged fish at three different storage temperatures (30°C, 16°C, and -4°C) for a prolonged period of time. The results demonstrate that these 3D-PMTs have great potential to be utilized in freshness monitoring.