University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Intelligent packaging: time-temperature indicators for monitoring the quality of pasteurized milk

Li, Lin

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130225

Description

Title
Intelligent packaging: time-temperature indicators for monitoring the quality of pasteurized milk
Author(s)
Li, Lin
Issue Date
2025-07-25
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Wang, Yi-Cheng
Committee Member(s)
  • Cadwallader, Keith R.
  • Takhar, Pawan Singh
Department of Study
Food Science & Human Nutrition
Discipline
Food Science & Human Nutrition
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • Time-temperature indicators (TTIs)
  • pasteurized milk
Abstract
Pasteurized milk is a highly nutritious but perishable product whose quality can rapidly deteriorate under improper storage conditions. Temperature fluctuations during storage and transportation often go unnoticed. Therefore, real-time monitoring of temperature exposure is essential to ensure food quality. Time–temperature indicators (TTIs) offer a promising, non-destructive approach for monitoring the combined effect of time and temperature on food products by recording their temperature history throughout storage and distribution. By providing a real-time signal of temperature-induced quality loss, TTIs help assess product quality throughout storage and distribution. This technology can effectively reflect changes in food quality, showing great potential to reduce food waste and improve consumer confidence. This study investigates the development of a TTI system for pasteurized milk, utilizing nanomaterials and a biopolymer to generate non-reversible colorimetric responses that reflect cumulative time and temperature exposure. Unlike conventional date-labeling systems, which do not account for real-time temperature abuse during storage or transport, TTIs provide a dynamic and visual means of monitoring food quality. The proposed system aims to serve as a non-destructive and user-friendly tool to inform consumers of potential quality degradation.
Graduation Semester
2025-08
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130225
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2025 Lin Li

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