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Improvement of carotenoid extraction from a recently isolated, robust microalga, Tetraselmis sp. CTP4 (chlorophyta)

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Abstract

In recent years, there has been increasing consumer interest in carotenoids, particularly of marine sustainable origin with applications in the food, cosmeceutical, nutritional supplement and pharmaceutical industries. For instance, microalgae belonging to the genus Tetraselmis are known for their biotechnologically relevant carotenoid profile. The recently isolated marine microalgal strain Tetraselmis sp. CTP4 is a fast-growing, robust industrial strain, which has successfully been produced in 100-m3 photobioreactors. However, there are no reports on total carotenoid contents from this strain belonging to T. striata/convolutae clade. Although there are several reports on extraction methods targeting chlorophytes, extraction depends on the strength of cell coverings, solvent polarity and the nature of the targeted carotenoids. Therefore, this article evaluates different extraction methods targeting Tetraselmis sp. CTP4, a strain known to contain a mechanically resistant theca. Here, we propose a factorial experimental design to compare extraction of total carotenoids from wet and freeze-dried microalgal biomass using four different solvents (acetone, ethanol, methanol or tetrahydrofuran) in combination with two types of mechanical cell disruption (glass beads or dispersion). The extraction efficiency of the methods was assessed by pigment contents and profiles present in the extracts. Extraction of wet biomass by means of glass bead-assisted cell disruption using tetrahydrofuran yielded the highest amounts of lutein and β-carotene (622 ± 40 and 618 ± 32 µg g−1 DW, respectively). Although acetone was slightly less efficient than tetrahydrofuran, it is preferable due to its lower costs and toxicity.

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Funding

The authors are indebted to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Portugal, for funding through UID/Multi/04326/2019 research program and a doctoral research grant (SFRH/BD/115325/2016) awarded to LS. Further funding was provided by the 0055 ALGARED + 05 INTERREG V-A–España Portugal project. KNG also is thankful to the FCT and University of Algarve for financial support under the transitional rule of Decree-Law no. 57/2016 as amended by Law No 57/2017.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal

    Lisa M. Schüler, Katkam N. Gangadhar, Paulo Duarte, Chloé Placines, João Varela & Luísa Barreira

  2. Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, University of Huelva, Avda de las Fuerzas Armadas s/n, 21071, Huelva, Spain

    Ana María Molina-Márquez & Rosa Léon-Bañares

  3. CIMA, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal

    Vânia S. Sousa

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  1. Lisa M. Schüler
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Schüler, L.M., Gangadhar, K.N., Duarte, P. et al. Improvement of carotenoid extraction from a recently isolated, robust microalga, Tetraselmis sp. CTP4 (chlorophyta). Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 43, 785–796 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-019-02273-9

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