*2.4. Color Measurements*

The color evaluation was performed using a CR-400 colorimeter (Minolta, Tokyo, Japan) with standard illuminant C. Tristimulus color coordinates (CIELAB system) were used to measure the degree of lightness (L\*), which ranged from 0 (black) to 100 (white), redness (a\*) ranging from −60 (green) to +60 (red), and yellowness (b\*) ranging from blue (−60) to yellow (+60). Total color difference (ΔE\*) between the samples and the control was calculated according to Equation (1).

$$
\Delta \mathbf{E}^\* = \left(\Delta \mathbf{L}^\* + \Delta \mathbf{a}^\* + \Delta \mathbf{b}^\*\right)^{1/2} \tag{1}
$$

For calibration purposes, a white standard was used (L\* = 97.21; a\* = 0.14; b\* = 1.99). Measurements were conducted at 20 ± 1 ◦C and replicated at least five times.
