This invention discloses a method for preparing and applying a
chitosan-nanofibrillar-based smart indicator membrane loaded with anthocyanins and
alizarin. The method includes the following steps: mixing beet
powder with
hydrochloric acid, washing with water until neutral, and
drying; adding
sodium hydroxide solution, mixing and reacting, washing with water until neutral, and
drying; adding
sodium chlorite solution, mixing, adjusting the pH to 3-3.5, reacting, and washing with water until neutral to obtain beet
fiber; adding water, homogenizing under ultra-
high pressure to obtain a beet nano-suspension; adding the beet nano-suspension to a
chitosan-
acetic acid solution and stirring, then adding
glycerol; adding pigments, mixing, and obtaining a membrane solution; ultrasonically degassing, and
drying to form a membrane. This membrane, as a
food preservation indicator membrane, possesses both the characteristics and functions of
food preservation and indicating food freshness; using beet nanofibers as a supplementary material improves the mechanical properties of the
chitosan membrane; the addition of
alizarin and
anthocyanin mixed pigments enriches the
color changes of the indicator membrane and improves its stability.