Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Plant Biochemistry Department, National Research Centre, El Buhouth St., Cairo, 12622, Egypt.
2
Plant Biochemistry Department, National Research Centre (NRC), 33 El Bohouth St. (Former El-Tahrir St.), 12622 Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
Abstract
Microalgae are the most significant renewable sources of natural carotenoids and omega fatty acids. These include Dunaliella salina, Haematococcus pluvialis, and Scenedesmus obliquus. The aim of this research is to use various polar solvents to improve the extraction efficiency of various carotenoids and omega-fatty acids from these microalgae. Our results showed that the polarity of the solvent, the polarity of the solute component, and microalgae species had a substantial effect on the extraction efficiency of the carotenoids β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin as well as omega fatty acids. The high-polar solvents Dichloromethane: Methanol, 3:1, v/v (DIC: MeOH), Hexane: Ethanol, 2:1, v/v (Hex: EtOH), and Hexane: Ethyl acetate,1:1, v/v (Hex: EtOAc) showed a positive effect on the extraction efficiency of lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin, the high-polar carotenoids, when compared with pure Hexane (Hex), the low-polar solvent. The solvent mixture of Hex: EtOH recovered the highest yield of omega fatty acids, especially omega-3 from D. salina and H. pulvalies, however Hex: EtOAc showed the same effect on S. obliquus. In conclusion, the solvent mixture of Hex: EtOH and Hex: EtOAc is strongly recommended for high extraction of carotenoids and omega fatty acids from investigated microalgae.
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