Synthesis and Characterisation of Chitosan/Polyaniline Biobased Film for Intelligent Food Packaging as Food Spoilage Indicator

Lee, Megan (2026) Synthesis and Characterisation of Chitosan/Polyaniline Biobased Film for Intelligent Food Packaging as Food Spoilage Indicator. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

The increasing issue of food waste and foodborne illness, especially in perishable seafood, necessitates rapid and sustainable spoilage detection systems. In response to this challenge, it is important to develop intelligent sensing platforms capable of continuously monitoring food freshness during storage and distribution. This study developed biobased chitosan/PANI films as intelligent packaging indicators, synthesised using HCl and tartaric acid dopants with chitosan extracted from crab shells. Characterisation using FTIR and UV-Vis spectrophotometer, low conductivity meter, and TGA confirmed successful formation of PANI, chitosan, and the chitosan/PANI films (including dip-coated PANI solution film, embedded PANI-HCl film and embedded PANI-tartaric acid film), with chitosan exhibiting a degree of deacetylation of 51.50%. Sensor performances for dip-coated PANI solution film, embedded PANI-HCl film and embedded PANI-tartaric acid film were evaluated through NH3 detection (600 - 1000 ppm), storage temperature variation (-10°C - 40°C), and real sample analysis using the ImageJ software RGB colour scale to monitor the colour change of PANI from green to blue after NH3 exposure caused by food spoilage. Among the chitosan/PANI films, the dip-coated PANI solution film showed the best performance, with the fastest response time of 5 minutes, the most distinct colour change, and the highest sensitivity by achieving response values of 1.0098 - 1.0928 ( 600 - 1000 ppm NH3 concentration), 0.9915 - 1.0506 (storage temperature, -10°C - 40°C), and 1.3638 (real fish samples). These findings indicate that the developed chitosan/PANI films are an effective, eco-friendly, and cost-efficient solution for real-time food spoilage detection, with significant potential to enhance food safety and reduce environmental impact.