Smart and Mechanically Enhanced Zein–Gelatin Films Incorporating Cellulose Nanocrystals and Alizarin for Fish Spoilage Monitoring

The shelf life of perishable foods is traditionally determined by microbiological, chemical, and sensory analyses, which are well-established and reliable. However, these methods can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, and they may not fully account for unexpected storage deviations, such as temperature fluctuations or equipment failures. Smart films emerge as a promising alternative, enabling rapid, visual, and low-cost food quality mon- itoring. This study developed smart films based...