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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