Fig. 5
for the S_E and BeC films, showing a gradual reduction of
released carotenoids as storage continued. The reductionwas faster
and larger for b-carotene than for astaxanthin. However, results for
the T_E film in the release and UV/Vis spectra experiments (Figs. 3
and 5, respectively) do not agree. The most feasible explanation for
this observation is the interaction of lycopene with the film matrix,
hindering release. Indeed, after carotenoid extraction the T_E film
was lightly colored (thiswas evident to the naked eye), whereas the
S_E and BeC films were colorless. As a second extraction in 95%
ethanol did not yield a further extraction of carotenoids, it seems
clear that some remaining carotenoids were present in the matrix
after extraction. In spite of this hint of interaction, degradation of
lycopene is also clear, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, as well as in the
results for the color of the films (Table 1). Thus, the hue angle of the