Development of On-Package Indicator Sensor for Real-Time Monitoring of Buffalo Meat Quality During Refrigeration Storage

Abstract

A new colorimetric indicator sensor based on bromophenol blue sensitive to total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) released from buffalo meat during storage has been fabricated for real-time monitoring of meat quality. The indicator sensor was fabricated by coating bromophenol blue onto indicator carrier (filter paper) via centrifugation. Buffalo meat was packed in polystyrene boxes and covered tightly with cling film, and an indicator sensor was attached to its inner side facing towards the meat. The bromophenol blue-coated filter paper as an indicator sensor worked based on an increase in concentration of TVBN produced gradually in the package headspace, and subsequently, the colour of the sensor changed from yellow to blue indicating deterioration in meat quality, which was easily visible to the naked eye. The change in colour of the indicator sensor was compared with meat quality parameters for a period of 9 days under refrigeration storage at 4 ± 1 °C, which was well correlated with deterioration in meat quality as the storage period advanced. Based on the changes in colour of the indicator sensor during refrigeration storage, a colour scale was developed for comparing the colour of sensor kept along with meat to monitor its quality and freshness during storage. Results have indicated that sensor response correlated well with microbial load of buffalo meat, thus enabling the sensor for real-time monitoring of buffalo meat spoilage during refrigeration storage.