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Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia, 216006_4
Active and intelligent packaging
(February 2020)
By: Ángela Jiménez Almario
1
"Active and intelligent packaging" is a broad concept that
encompasses the functions that revolve around the well-being of
packaged products, such functional intelligence in packaging; It
seeks to maintain the integrity of the products and prevent their
decomposition.
In addition, these packages are focused on the welfare of the
consumer, as they inform us about the conditions in which said
product is found.
Keywords: active and intelligent packaging, product
integrity, environmental conditions.
I.INTRODUCTION
A ctive and intelligent packaging, mainly focus on the
well-being of the product contained inside, compared to
external agents such as: sudden temperature changes, exposure
to UV rays among others.
In the wide market of vegetables, vegetables, salads and
others, conventional film packaging is established to some
extent suitable for lettuce and other vegetables; unfortunately,
this type of packaging does not manage to be completely
complete against the respiration rate of these foods, leading to
their early deterioration.
1
FORMAINNOVABIO, D. (2013). Embases activos y Embases inteligentes.
Obtenido de
https://formainnovabio.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/envases-
activos-y-envases-inteligentes/
Currently, vegetables that are breathing are being
implemented for vegetables; such films are made with
polymers.
On the other hand there are acrylic films, these are
crystallizable polymers created in order to change at different
temperatures, finally the packaging is intelligent, because it
automatically regulates the entry of oxygen and the output of
carbon dioxide depending on the temperature at which is
found; Similarly, during storage and distribution, the product
is maintained in an optimal environment, maintaining its
freshness and allowing the consumer to have its products of
the highest quality.
II. SMART PACKAGING LINKS TWO CATEGORIES.
Smart Devices
Basically, their differences are based on the way they
interact with packaged products.
The intelligent packaging interacts with this condition,
connecting to the 'main' and traditional packages of the food
product, to be finally represented synergistically: food / main
package / intelligent package.
A. Active Packagesl
This is the first group of intelligent packaging, which is called
"active packaging" this is basically due to its ability to interact
with the food it contains actively inside. A clear example of
this is the constant transformation (by means of antimicrobial
and antioxidant substances) of your inner atmosphere by
default.
 In addition, the modification of the organoleptic
characteristics of the food package (texture, smell, color, and
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its general appearance), in the proper functioning of the active applications of these packages must be carefully and
devices, is that they must work continuously and must be meticulously designed, based on the two main factors:
predictable at the same time.
 All possible basic interactions of the substance
Depending on their characteristics, active devices are added with the substrates of the food contained.
subdivided into different categories such as: Gas emitters or
Conservative Liberators  The microbiology of food products, because in the
end other similar devices can release aromas,
The objective as such is the complete elimination of colors among others.
unwanted substances in said products, on the other hand the
integration of protective additives such as (antioxidants, etc.)
in the product's shelf life. Where gaseous reducers such as:

• Aldehyde containers

 • Amine containers

• Wide range containers

• Carondioxides recyclers

• Ethylene recyclers

 • Moisture recyclers

• Oxygen containers

(Aitiip.com)
Aitiip.com. (s.f.). Obtenido de Envases activos e
inteligentes:
https://www.aitiip.com/noticias/envases-activos-
(Interempresas) e-inteligentes.html
Interempresas. (s.f.). Obtenido de Canales sectoriales (Cárnicos): https://www.interempresas.net/Industria-Carnica/Articulos/148957-
Tendencias-en-la-aplicacion-del-envasado-activo-e-inteligente-en-el-sector-carnico.html
Most of the devices focus on the objective of eliminating B. Smart packages
harmful molecules for the food product, which is why they are
considered "specialized" active packages, Such as the
elimination of CO2 and moisture in dry and powdered
products as in meat and vegetable based foods. This second intelligent category is different from active
packaging because of its ability to collect, store and
On the other hand, we must remember that the final
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communicate to the consumer the different information
without measuring the food product or the related atmospheres
in them.
According to Parisi [23], smart packaging is capable of:
• Detect storage conditions such as (relative humidity,
temperature, etc.) during the life of the product.
• Make known the quality of food breakdown.
• Show the decrease in food quality in real time.
• Store all information and / or product modifications.
On the other hand according to Parisi [3], intelligent
packages can be subdivided into two subgroups:
• Registration of storage conditions by means of systems
(radiofrequency identification, nano barcodes, etc.).
• Tracking storage anomalies.
(Ainia)
Ainia. (s.f.). Obtenido de Envases activos e inteligentes: https://www.ainia.es/tecnoalimentalia/tecnologia/envases-activos-
barrera-e-inteligentes-3-tecnologias-para-reducir-el-despilfarro-de-alimentos/
Aitiip.com. (s.f.). Obtenido de Envases activos e inteligentes: https://www.aitiip.com/noticias/envases-activos-e-inteligentes.html
Depending on the storage conditions, we can talk about the
following subdivisions:
• Indicators of freshness.
• Leakage indicators.
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• Temperature indicators.
• Time temperature indicators (TTI).
Currently the best known smart packaging is the TTI.
Which are responsible for showing the degradation of the
product "supposed and interpretable" while we find it in the
market ready for consumption.
Leakage indicators, according to the data collected, are
similar to gas collectors and generators / releasers, this is
because they can perceive the presence of unwanted O2a
ndCO2 in products of "modified atmosphere packaging"
whereby they are established by means of redox indicators
(methylene blue, and soon) and the disclosure of active
components according to Parisi [3, 23]
Finally, the freshness indicators are created with the objective
of detecting the production and accumulation of gaseous
substances (hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, trimethylamine-N-
oxide, acetic acid) due to microbial deterioration as reported
by De Jong et al [25]. These types of smart labels are a great
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advantage for all processes in the food chain, starting from the
manufacturer, until reaching the consumer since these Below we will highlight two important aspects about the
indicators offer reliable information that indicates whether the use of smart packaging.
food is in good condition or not. This gradually prevents
product returns due to poor conditions, since it informs us in
real time of changes in cold chain temperature or another  Hygiene
factor affecting the condition of the product.

These packaging processes are established in order to

transport and hygienically store the various products, the
packaging minimizes exposure to airborne contaminants and
. bacteria during food handling, avoiding possible diseases,
including food poisoning.

 Duration

The different active and intelligent containers help prolong

the shelf life of the food products contained inside.

For example, in food packaged in plastic with a modified

atmosphere helps prevent discoloration and prolongs the shelf
life of the product.

In addition, the use of transparent plastic and freshness

labels help us identify the state of the product in real time,
since the lack of packaging exposes the food to the various
(CTIC), L. G. (s.f.). Obtenido de Envasado inteligente para alimentos: https://docplayer.es/20921186-Envasado-inteligente-para-
alimentos.html pollutants in the air, which can cause the food to be damaged.

III. ADVANTAGES OF THE USE OF ACTIVE AND

INTELLIGENT PACKAGING IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY

One of the main advantages of using active and intelligent

packaging in the food industry is that these foods are ready to IV. POLÍTICA EDITORIAL
be consumed at any time of the day. Moreover they are easy to
carry and store; because these foods do not need additional
wrappers to avoid spills and others.

We find them less vulnerable to contamination than

unpackagedCotroSol.
foods, as(s.f.).
their Obtenido
main focus
de isEnvase
that they contain
activo the peladas: https://fyh.es/crean-un-envase-activo-que-alarga-la-vida-util-de-
para frutas
product inside safelyla-fruta-pelada-y-cortada/
to avoid damage to the product, so that
its shelf life is longer and they remain fresh for longer.

The quality of the food is better, since the packaging
provides protection against physical and environmental
damage during the process of handling, transport and storage
of food products. On the other hand they also save us time and
effort in the selection of purchases, preparation and cooking.
V. DISADVANTAGES OF THE USE OF ACTIVE AND
INTELLIGENT PACKAGING IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY
The use of packaging produces a large amount of waste, as
it is considered responsible for a large amount of waste.
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In addition, the packaging represents a percentage of the
costs in the final delivery of the product, so its cost also
increases compared to unpacked foods.
The major disadvantage of one of these food packaging is
the sometimes harmful effect on the health of some
consumers.
The additives and preservatives and substances that are
commonly included in such packages may be unhealthy and /
or unsafe for human consumption, since some of these include
unexpected allergic reactions, indigestion and a greater
susceptibility to different diseases such as lung or heart
disease.
However, to prevent some problems, it is required that the
products have the FDA food label where the list of all
ingredients, expiration dates and nutritional information of the
portion and the content of vitamins and minerals that are
provided are provided. This package contains in real time
inside.
Here are two important aspects about the disadvantages that
these packages provide to our planet.
 Environment
It is currently budgeted that consumer packaging represents
the largest amount of plastic and paper waste, which
constitutes 20%, the elimination of food packaging re-
introduces waste into the ecosystem, which has negative
effects and although such packaging prolongs The shelf life of
food. The materials with which they are manufactured such as
plastic are full of toxins that are carcinogenic or affect the
reproductive system.
In addition, most food packages should not be recycled for
hygiene and are not biodegradable, which affects the existence
of both humans and animals.
 Cost
Food packaging increases their cost. The packaging
represents 10 to 50% of the prices of food products. In
addition, storage and transportation of food in small packages
is more expensive than in bulk.
Finally, it is up to us as consumers to decide to what extent
we will allow ourselves to consume these foods.
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VI. BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES
(CTIC), L. G. (s.f.). Obtenido de Envasado inteligente para
alimentos: https://docplayer.es/20921186-Envasado-
inteligente-para-alimentos.html
Ainia. (s.f.). Obtenido de Envases activos e inteligentes:
https://www.ainia.es/tecnoalimentalia/tecnologia/env
ases-activos-barrera-e-inteligentes-3-tecnologias-
para-reducir-el-despilfarro-de-alimentos/
Aitiip.com. (s.f.). Obtenido de Envases activos e inteligentes:
https://www.aitiip.com/noticias/envases-activos-e-
inteligentes.html
CotroSol. (s.f.). Obtenido de Envase activo para frutas
peladas: https://fyh.es/crean-un-envase-activo-que-
alarga-la-vida-util-de-la-fruta-pelada-y-cortada/
FORMAINNOVABIO, D. (2013). Embases activos y
Embases inteligentes. Obtenido de
https://formainnovabio.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/en
vases-activos-y-envases-inteligentes/
Interempresas. (s.f.). Obtenido de Canales sectoriales
(Cárnicos): https://www.interempresas.net/Industria-
Carnica/Articulos/148957-Tendencias-en-la-
aplicacion-del-envasado-activo-e-inteligente-en-el-
sector-carnico.html
Parisi, S. ((2013).). Obtenido de Food Industry and Packaging
Materials: Performance-oriented Guidelines for
Users. Chapter 4 “Packaging Industries: Chemistry
and technology of packaging materials” Shawbury,
Shrewsbury, Shropshire: Smithers Rapra. Recovered
from:
http://bibliotecavirtual.unad.edu.co:2051/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=591458&lang=es&site=
eds-live