Smartphone-Assisted Technologies for Real-Time Monitoring of Meat, Seafood, and Dairy Products Freshness – A Critical Discussion and Comparative Analysis

This paper critically reviews recent advances in smartphone-assisted freshness monitoring for meat, seafood, and dairy products. Anthocyanin-based indicators demonstrate high pH sensitivity, though stability challenges remain, whereas lac dye-based systems offer longer shelf-life at increased cost. Combination of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with nanoparticles has been shown to lower detection limits for key spoilage biomarkers and pathogens. The integration of AI into smartphone platforms has enhanced both the accuracy and practicality in laboratory settings, with some studies reporting over 95% accuracy under controlled conditions. However, translation of these results to real-world scenarios remains challenging. Challenges such as ambient lighting variability and device heterogeneity can be partially compensated through AI-driven analysis. However, some limitations including environmental resilience, production scalability, and economic sustainability remain unresolved. The integration of inexpensive natural indicators with optical sensors and AI shows promise for real-time freshness monitoring. Overall, for industrial application, MOF/smartphone hybrid systems appear promising, while anthocyanin-based apps may offer accessible solutions for consumers. Moreover, for highly perishable seafood, AI-assisted fluorescent probes and deep learning-based image analysis enable rapid, non-destructive freshness assessment.