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    An Investigation into the Efficacy of a pH-Sensitive Material for Milk Spoilage Detection

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    Milk GEMSTONE THESIS FINAL.pdf (1.268Mb)
    No. of downloads: 8155

    Date
    2013
    Author
    Blackmon, Tom
    Chang, Jonathan
    Cheng, Amy
    Jen, Tiffany
    Kravis, Hannah
    Lin, Raishay
    Lu, Michael
    Ong, Erin
    Pakzad, Tanya
    Sarfaraz, Nima
    Shiau, Yvonne
    Wong, Jacklyn
    Advisor
    Wang, Nam Sun
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    Abstract
    Ambiguous expiration dates on milk cartons can mislead consumers into prematurely disposing unspoiled milk and potentially drinking spoiled milk. These misconceptions can lead to wastage that harms the environment, or potential discomfort and illness. The incorporation of pH-sensitive indicators into plastic milk cartons has the potential to replace stamped expiration dates as the traditional method of milk spoilage indication. We studied the correlation between bacteria count and milk pH to establish pH measurement as an effective indicator of milk quality. We then developed a method for incorporating bromothymol blue, a pH-sensitive color-changing dye, into a hydrogel made of polyacrylamide. This hydrogel can be added to existing packaging for milk or other products with detectable pH changes. Additionally, we conducted a consumer survey and analyzed current food packaging trends in the market. Our research indicates that a spoilage-indicating milk carton could have strong market potential as food industries increasingly adopt intelligent packaging designs.
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    http://hdl.handle.net/1903/13884
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    DRUM is brought to you by the University of Maryland Libraries
    University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-7011 (301)314-1328.
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