Extraction and Concentration of <i>Spirulina</i> Water-Soluble Metabolites by Ultrafiltration
<i>Spirulina</i> (<i>Arthospira platensis</i>) is known for its rich content of natural compounds like phycocyanin, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and high protein levels, making it a nutrient-dense food. Over the past decade, research has aimed to optimize the extraction, separa...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-10-01
|
| Series: | Plants |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/19/2770 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | <i>Spirulina</i> (<i>Arthospira platensis</i>) is known for its rich content of natural compounds like phycocyanin, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and high protein levels, making it a nutrient-dense food. Over the past decade, research has aimed to optimize the extraction, separation, and purification of these valuable metabolites, focusing on technologies such as high-pressure processing, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction as well as enzymatic treatments, chromatographic precipitation, and membrane separation. In this study, various extraction methods (conventional vs. ultrasound-assisted), solvents (water vs. phosphate buffer), solvent-to-biomass ratios (1:5 vs. 1:10), and ultrafiltration (PES membrane of MWCO 3 kDa, 2 bar) were evaluated. The quantities of total protein, phycocyanin (PC), chlorophyll a (Cla), and total carotenoids (TCC) were measured. The results showed that ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with phosphate buffer at a 1:10 ratio yielded a metabolite-rich retentate (MRR) with 37.0 ± 1.9 mg/g of PC, 617 ± 15 mg/g of protein, 0.4 ± 0.2 mg/g of Cla, and 0.15 ± 0.14 mg/g of TCC. Water extraction in the concentration process achieved the highest concentrations in MRR, with approximately 76% PC, 92% total protein, 62% Cla, and 41% TCC. These findings highlight the effective extraction and concentration processes to obtain a metabolite-rich retentate from <i>Spirulina</i> biomass, reducing the volume tenfold and showing potential as a functional ingredient for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2223-7747 |