The present invention provides a visual indicator film for the freshness of fresh-
cut fruits, a preparation method, the use and a detection method. The preparation method comprises the following steps: preparing a Co-based MOF; washing and activating the Co-MOF; preparing a CMC-Na-based thin film; and preparing a CMC-Na-based thin film, and thereby obtaining an indicator film for
phenol red (PR) or an indicator film for
bromothymol blue (BTB). In the present invention, an irregular spherical Co-based
metal organic framework (Co-MOF) loaded with PR or BTB is prepared, and the nanocomposites Co-MOF / PR and Co-MOF / BTB are obtained after dyes and the MOF are adsorbed by means of the
hydrogen bond interaction. Then, the nanocomposites are embedded into a
sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) base material to prepare CO2-responsive packaging materials, namely, a CMC-Na / PR / Co-MOF and a CMC-Na / BTB / Co-MOF, which are used for monitoring the freshness of fruits in real time and in situ. The Co-MOF-based composite thin film has good
water resistance, time-temperature stability and mechanical properties, and also exhibits enhanced
ultraviolet-visible
light barrier properties, dye migration resistance and
thermal stability. The visual indicator film for the freshness of fresh-
cut fruits can effectively reflect the concentration of CO2, and is suitable for real-time and in-situ monitoring of the freshness of fruits.