Diffusion of carotenoids from mono and bilayer polyethylene active packaging into soybean oil

• An extract of marigold flower containing carotenoids was added to LDPE.
• The release of carotenoids from LDPE into soybean oil suggests an active packaging.
• The addition of a HDPE layer by coextrusion delayed the release of carotenoids.
• This active antioxidant packaging works in regions with a temperate to hot climate.

The present work aims to study the kinetics of the diffusion of carotenoids from a monolayer low-density polyethylene film (MM) and a coextruded high-density polyethylene/low-density polyethylene film (BM) to soybean oil. Also, the effect of temperature on the diffusion rate was evaluated. The diffusion coefficients for total carotenoids were 8.8–28.66 and (3.99–21.30) × 10−11 cm2/s for the MM films at 30 and 40 °C. Meanwhile, the diffusion coefficients were <1.56, 1.56 ± 0.43, 6.75 ± 0.45, and (17.70 ± 6.66) × 10−11 cm2/s at 10, 25, 30, and 40 °C, respectively, for the BM films. The addition of a high-density polyethylene layer as a coextruded film delayed the release of carotenoids and the time to reach the equilibrium. The effect of temperature on the diffusion coefficients followed an Arrhenius-type model with activation energy of 118.97 kJ/mol for the BM films. This release can be more effective for fatty food stored/commercialized in regions with a temperate to hot climate.

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