Construction and application of sustained-release active intelligent packaging incorporating phenolic acid copigmented Aronia melanocarpa anthocyanins and microencapsulated carvacrol

Active intelligent packaging often suffers from insufficient indicator sensitivity and limited antibacterial duration. To overcome these limitations, the system incorporates <i>Aronia melanocarpa</i> anthocyanins (AMA) copigmented by phenolic acid, carvacrol (CL) encapsulated by hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), and integrates these components into potato starch (PS) to produce a multifunctional film with enhanced indicator sensitivity and sustained release properties. The results revealed that ferulic acid (FA) provided notable stabilizing effect on AMA, maintaining ΔE < 1 after two cycles of acid-base alternation. The incorporation of HP-β-CD allowed for efficient encapsulation of CL through hydrogen bonding, achieving sustained release over 96 h. The incorporation of FA-AMA and CL@HP-β-CD system improved the roughness, UV-blocking, and antioxidant performance of the film. Additionally, the film extended shrimp shelf life by 12 h, with a visible transition from pink to blue upon spoilage. This research offers a novel approach to the advancement of active intelligent packaging.