Conclusion and future prospect
The current advance of smart packaging relies on the
development of sensor technology and materials which in
some way sense the condition of the product to inform its
quality, safety, shelf-life and usability. Therefore, the
future of smart packaging to enhance packaging technology
is clear. It will increasingly operate as a sensor
system incorporating both smart and conventional materials,
adding value and benefits across the food packaging
supply chain. For smart materials as a sensor system to be
integrated in packaging, they need to be suitable with
printing technology for mass production, low-cost relative
to the value of the food product, ease to used, accurate,
reliable, simple and reproducible in their range of operation,
and environmentally gentle as well as food contact
safe.
The integration of a sensor in food packaging has made
great advances in smart packaging solutions. These
advances have led to improve food quality, safety, shelflife
and usability. While most packaging innovations have
been the result of global trends and consumer preferences,
some innovations have stemmed from unexpected sources,
such as the emergence of nanosensor technologies, the
technology of sensing material in nm size. Undoubtedly,
new smart packaging development will focus more on food
safety (detecting microbial growth, oxidation, improving
tamper visibility), food quality (detection of volatile flavours
and aromas), shelf-life, tracking, authentication,
convenience, and sustainability of food products.
Acknowledgment The authors gratefully thank the DP2M, Higher
Education, Ministry of National Education, Republic of Indonesia for
supporting this work via the International Research Collaboration
Program 2010 (Penelitian Kerjasama Luar Negeri dan Publikasi
Internasioanl No. 438/SP2H/PP/DP2M/III/2010).