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High-Value Brown Algae Extracts Using Deep Eutectic Solvents and Microwave-Assisted Extraction
Meirielly Jesus1, Aloia Romaní1,2,3, Joana Santos1,4
1CISAS-Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua da Escola Industrial e Comercial Nun'Alvares 34, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal.
Deep eutectic solvents combined with microwave-assisted extraction efficiently extract bioactive compounds from macroalgae. This green method yields high-value algal extracts and valorizes residual biomass for biotechnological applications.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biotechnology
- Green Chemistry
- Biomass Valorization
Background:
- Macroalgae are rich sources of bioactive compounds.
- Sustainable extraction methods are needed to harness algal potential.
- Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) offer a promising green solvent alternative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of DESs combined with microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) for bioactive compound extraction from *Ascophyllum nodosum* and *Laminaria hyperborea*.
- To evaluate different DES formulations and extraction parameters.
- To characterize the extracted compounds and assess the potential of residual biomass.
Main Methods:
- Extraction using two DES formulations: choline chloride/lactic acid (ChCl/LA) and sodium acetate/lactic acid (AcNa/LA).
- Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) under varying temperatures and times.
- Quantification of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS).
- Identification of phenolics via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
- Antimicrobial assays, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermal analysis, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
Main Results:
- DES-MAE effectively extracted bioactive compounds from both algae species.
- *A. nodosum* yielded higher TPC (47.51 mg GAE/g DW) and bioactivity compared to *L. hyperborea* (up to 19.12 mg GAE/g DW).
- HPLC identified significant phenolics including vanillin and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid.
- Extracts showed strong antimicrobial activity against *Clostridium perfringens* and moderate activity against *Staphylococcus aureus*.
- Residual biomass from *L. hyperborea* showed potential for bioenergy applications.
Conclusions:
- DES-MAE is a sustainable and effective green strategy for extracting high-value compounds from macroalgae.
- The study highlights the potential of algal biomass for producing bioactive extracts and valuable co-products.
- Optimized DES-MAE conditions can maximize the yield and bioactivity of algal extracts.
