Carotenoids extracts as natural colorants in poly(lactic acid) films

The use of vivid packaging colors is a strategy to attract consumers' attention and interest. In this context, the awareness of harmful effects caused by the use of synthetic colorants has led to an increasing interest in naturally derived alternatives. The use of carotenoids as colorants for polymeric materials represents an environmentally friendly way of obtaining colored packaging. The incorporation of carotenoids extracts rich in bixin, lycopene, and β‐carotene into poly(lactic acid) films was evaluated, where the presence of carotenoids (100 μg/g) reduced oxygen permeability and presented a lubricant effect, increasing films elasticity up to 50%. No effect on films crystallinity was observed. Carotenoids reduced films transparency and bixin was the most stable carotenoid at dark and light conditions. The color stability of films, evaluated through kinetic parameters of color degradation, presented Chroma half‐life times (40 °C/light) of 111, 51, and 5 days for bixin, lycopene, and β‐carotene, respectively.