Research underway for smart plastic wrappers that indicate ripeness and freshness of fruit and vegetables

27-Apr-10

Research in underway on smart plastic wrappers that will indicate when fruit and vegetables are ripe and fresh enough to buy. Scientists are developing high-tech packaging capable of testing the quality of groceries by incorporating sensors into mass-produced plastic materials that "sniff out" chemicals. EU-funded Swiss researchers from the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne are working with colleagues from Manchester and Sheffield universities on the FlexSmell project. These sensors will be used for measuring temperature and humidity and more advanced markers that indicate produce quality. The wrapping would also have the ability to transmit information wirelessly. One aim is to design sensors in packaging that can detect ethylene gas responsible for stimulating ripening of fruit. Found at trace levels, the gas provides a measure of ripeness. Another chemical target is hexanol, which is emitted from fruit and vegetables and provides an indicator of food deterioration. Different techniques are being explored involving the electro-chemical properties of various materials. The challenge will be ensuring the robustness of the system's components, including sensors, electronics and an antenna capable of sending data wirelessly.