@article{Chen2026, 
author = {Yisheng Chen and Zhijian Wang and Shiyao Wang},
title = {Programmable inkjet printing of fluorometric freshness-progress-bar for consumer-level visualization of hot-pot freshness},
year = {2026},
journal = {Food Science and Human Wellness},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {9251005},
keywords = {Programmable inkjet printing, Freshness progress bar, Intelligent package, Hot-pot},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/FSHW.2026.9251005},
doi = {10.26599/FSHW.2026.9251005},
abstract = {In this work, an easy-to-use fluorometric sensor array in the form of freshness progress bar was fabricated by programmable inkjet printing, enabling consumer-level freshness visualization of Hot-pot dishes (fish, chicken and beef). Firstly, the freshness progress bar was optimized with 2 spoilage-responsive indicators (fluorescein isothiocyanate and rhodamine B) encapsulated in metal-organic framework zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8). Subsequently, a 40 mm × 10 mm freshness progress bar was precisely fabricated by programmable inkjet printing, ensuring adequate uniformity and reproducibility. The freshness progress bar showed high sensitivity up to 1.343 mg/kg to the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), good reproducibility (relative standard deviation (RSD) < 5%) and long-term stability (signals remained 92.6% after 10 days of storage). With chemometric analysis, the freshness status of samples could be easily identified. Furthermore, the visual information of freshness progress bar consistent with the TVB-N stipulated by the national standard, showing consistence coefficient of R2 > 0.96. Therefore, the freshness progress bar may enable consumer-level management of the Hot-pot foods, which was particularly suitable for E-commerce sales.}
}