MUMBAI, India, June 22 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202641039339 A) filed by Aarupadai Veedu Medical College & Hospital Vinayaka Missions Research Foundationdeemed To Be University on March 30, 2026, for Natural Ph-Responsive Smart Packaging System For Real Time Food Spoilage Detection From Little Millet Strach And Polyhenois..
Inventors include Dr. Pooma Chandrika Sabapathy; Dr. Mridul Umesh; and Dr. Shajahan Azeez.
The application for the patent was published on June 12, 2026, under issue no. 24/2026.
Abstract: The present invention relates to the development of a biodegradable, pH-responsive smart food packaging material derived from Panicum sumatrense (little millet) starch and phytoactive compounds extracted from Caesalpinia sappan heartwood. Little millet starch, which remains largely unexplored for food packaging applications, is utilized as a sustainable and renewable biopolymeric matrix owing to its drought tolerance, indigenous availability, and suitability for low-water agricultural systems. The disclosed process involves the extraction of starch from little millet, followed by blending with chi to san and an aqueous extract of C. sappan. The C. sappan extract exhibits distinct pHdependent chromatic transitions, displaying orange to yellow hues under acidic conditions and orange to dark red coloration under alkaline conditions. Incorporation of this natural pH indicator into the starch-chitosan matrix imparts real-time freshness sensing capability to the resulting composite film, enabling visual detection of food spoilage. The phytoextract further contributes antioxidant and antimicrobial functionality, thereby enhancing the active packaging performance of the material. Chitosan serves as a reinforcing biopolymer, improving mechanical integrity and imparting additional antimicrobial activity. Various formulation ratios of starch: chitosan: C. sappan extract (1: 1: 1; 2: 1: 1; 3:1: 1; 1 :2:1; 1 :3:1; 1:1 :2; 1:1 :3) were evaluated, with the 1:1:1 composition exhibiting optimal pH responsiveness, mechanical stability, and visual colour transition. The developed films were characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Al}alysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), confirming favourable structural, thermal, and functional properties for food packaging applications. Practical applicability was validated through real-time monitoring of shrimp freshness over a 24-hour storage period, demonstrating effective spoilage indication. The invention presents a sustainable, biodegradable, and intelligent food packaging solution with potential applications in freshness monitoring, shelf-life extension, and reduction of synthetic indicator usage in food syste
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