Protein enrichment of the red macroalga Palmaria palmata using pulsed electric field and enzymatic processing

The human population is steadily increasing and new alternative protein sources are necessary to secure food safety. There is a growing interest in macroalgae, or seaweed, as an alternative food source as they are rich in nutrients, minerals and carbohydrates. Among the diverse species of macroalga, Palmaria palmata, a red seaweed of growing interest due to its high protein content, represents a potential candidate for contributing to food security and animal feed. Novel methods are being investigated for extracting valuable components from seaweed, including protein. In this study, pulsed electric field (PEF) and enzymatic assisted extraction (EAE) were tested to investigate whether the methods, alone or in combination, were sufficient for protein extraction from P. palmata. The results show high extraction yields of dry matter consisting mostly of carbohydrates and ash when using EAE. The results point to a concentration of protein, including essential amino acids, in the pellet after extraction with a combination of PEF and EAE, or EAE alone. There is potential for the protein-rich pellet in animal feed. For the supernatant, there are potential uses within biostimulants.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10811-024-03338-3.