ABSTRACT
In this work, cellulose acetate films were prepared with the incorporation of different carotenoids (lycopene, norbixin, and zeaxanthin). The effect of adding these natural antioxidants was evaluated through stability during storage under controlled conditions (temperature and light), degradation rate coefficient, release in food simulants and protective effect on oxidation of vitamin B2. During storage at 25 °C or 40 °C the light showed a greater effect on the stability of the carotenoids, with significant increase in reaction constants (k) and decrease in half-life (t1/2). The degradation of the carotenoids was followed by a variation in the color parameters and mechanical properties. The films with norbixin showed the highest barrier to the transmission of UV-Vis light, consequently preserving 72% of a vitamin B2 stored under a photooxidative environment. Lycopene presented a higher release rate than norbixin and zeaxanthin to a fatty food simulant.