Natural pH indicators integrated into biopolymers as visual monitoring systems in biological environments
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Abstract
Los pigmentos naturales sensibles al pH, tales como antocianinas, betalaínas, carotenoides y curcuminoides, presentan cambios de color característicos dependiendo del ambiente ácido o base en el que se encuentran. Por ello, resalta la importancia que tienen en conjunto a biopolímeros naturales para convertirse en sistemas de monitoreo visual que benefician principalmente al sector alimentario y biomédico. Esta revisión tiene por objetivo recopilar información de estas moléculas extraídas de fuentes naturales en combinación con biopolímeros para el desarrollo de sensores de pH para aplicaciones tanto en la vigilancia alimentaria como en la salud. Aún siguen en estudio las propiedades de estos pigmentos, principalmente en carotenoides y curcuminoides ya que no presentan cambios de color notablemente diferenciales. Aunque retos como la estabilidad y biodisponibilidad de los pigmentos motivan el desarrollo continuo de métodos de encapsulación y materiales activos innovadores.
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