Microbial Time-Temperature Indicator for Spoilage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to accurately and reliably track environmental changes in temperature and time conditions for perishable products, leading to uncertainty about product spoilage and safety during distribution.
Innovation Solution
A time-temperature indicator system using nanobeads with psychrotrophic lactic acid bacteria, a base with an adhesive layer, and a cover film with controlled water activity, forming a two-dimensional code that changes color or shape in response to temperature and time conditions, integrated with a quality guarantee system for real-time monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an expiration date is marked on packing material, then product information is provided, but it is impossible to accurately determine the state of the product and the expiration date can be easily changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a time-temperature indicator that changes color based on accumulated temperature and time conditions. The indicator contains pH-sensitive dyes and microorganisms that produce acid under specific temperature conditions, causing visible color changes that cannot be altered or faked, thereby providing reliable and accurate product state information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/chemical expiration date marking system with a biological indicator system. The indicator uses microorganisms (such as lactic acid bacteria) that naturally produce acid and change color in response to temperature and time conditions, making the system more reliable and difficult to manipulate
2Loss of information
If a QR code is used to track product information, then information can be delivered, but there is no method to automatically track and identify products exposed to undesirable environments
Solution Approach 1:
The time-temperature indicator is a self-monitoring device that automatically detects and records environmental conditions without external intervention. The microorganisms within the indicator naturally respond to temperature changes and time accumulation, producing color changes that self-indicate product spoilage conditions, eliminating the need for complex external tracking systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid and accurate determination of product spoilage, providing confidence in product safety and quality throughout the distribution process by using a microbial time-temperature indicator (MTTI) that changes color or shape in response to temperature and time conditions, allowing for reliable tracking and identification of product state.
Implementation Method 1
nanobeads including microorganisms that produce a acidic biological product using nutrients
Implementation Method 2
psychrotrophic lactic acid bacteria that produce lactic acid using nutrients
Implementation Method 3
an indicator that indicates a change in color by means of the psychrotrophic lactic acid bacteria
Implementation Method 4
an immobilization material that immobilizes the microorganisms and the indicator
Implementation Method 5
a cover film having a fixed water activity (Aw) for activation of the microorganisms
Implementation Method 6
a cover film, which comprises a aqueous gel containing a polypropylene film, an adhesive, and a saturated salt substance and has a water activity of 0.98 or higher
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a two-dimensional code-type time-temperature indicator the color or shape of which changes in accordance with time and temperature conditions, and to a method for manufacturing the time-temperature indicator, to a quality guarantee system using the time-temperature indicator, and to a quality guarantee method using the quality guarantee system. The time-temperature indicator comprises: nanobeads containing a microorganism for generating lactic acids using nutrient components, an indicating agent for indicating the change in color by means of the generated lactic acids, an immobilization material for immobilizing the microorganism, the indicating agent, and the nutrient components; a base having a bonding layer; and a cover film.