Visibility Enhancement of Laccase-Based Time Temperature Integrator Color by Increasing Opacity

Time-temperature integrators (TTIs) based on aqueous enzyme solutions produce transparent colors which lead to difficulty in distinguishing its color change by naked eye. In this present study, this issue has been solved by increasing the opacity of laccase-based TTI without changes in the kinetics (same zero-order reaction) and temperature dependency (similar Arrhenius activation energy values) of the color change. The opacity was increased by introducing TiO2, latex, BaSO4, or ZnO, in combination with a hydrocolloid (xanthan gum, acacia gum, pectin, and CMC) into the TTI system. The combination of TiO2 and xanthan gum was the best. This finding broadened the advantages of laccasebased TTI to more practical uses for consumer convenience.