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Fucoxanthin and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Co-Extraction by a Green Process
Antoine Delbrut1,2, Pierre Albina3, Théo Lapierre4
1Montpellier SupAgro, UMR 1208 IATE, 2 Place Viala, 34060 Montpellier CEDEX 2, France. antoine.delbrut@supagro.fr.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 12, 2018
Summary
This study optimized microalgae co-extraction of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and fucoxanthin (Fx). Ethanol extraction efficiently yielded both compounds from Tisochrysis lutea and Phaeodactylum tricornutum for industrial applications.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Marine Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Microalgae are valuable for their autotrophic nature and molecular compounds, addressing environmental and societal needs.
- Certain microalgae species synthesize omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and xanthophylls, compounds with significant nutritional and cosmetic bioactivities.
- Existing research often focuses on PUFAs and xanthophylls separately, overlooking potential synergistic benefits from co-extracted compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify cost-effective and environmentally friendly parameters for the co-extraction of PUFAs and xanthophylls from microalgae.
- To investigate the influence of various extraction parameters, including solvent type, solvent-to-biomass ratio, temperature, and duration.
- To compare co-extraction efficiency between two distinct microalgal species: Tisochrysis lutea and Phaeodactylum tricornutum.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated the impact of solvent, solvent/biomass ratio, temperature, and duration on co-extraction yields.
- Utilized two microalgal species: the Haptophyta Tisochrysis lutea and the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.
- Quantified PUFAs and fucoxanthin (Fx) to compare extraction kinetics and yields across different protocols.
Main Results:
- Achieved 100% co-extraction yield for Fx and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from T. lutea within one hour using 96% ethanol.
- Obtained 95% Fx and 89% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) co-extraction yields from P. tricornutum in eight hours with 96% ethanol.
- Demonstrated that the optimized extraction conditions are suitable for industrial-scale applications.
Conclusions:
- Cost-effective and eco-friendly co-extraction of PUFAs and xanthophylls from microalgae is feasible using 96% ethanol.
- Optimized extraction parameters enable efficient simultaneous recovery of valuable compounds from different microalgal species.
- The developed co-extraction method holds promise for industrial applications in nutrition and cosmetics.
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