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Extraction of C-PC from Arthrospira platensis: use of ultrasounds, organic solvents and deep eutectic solvents

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Abstract

Different methods were used to extract C-phycocyanin from Arthrospira platensis, alone or in synergy (freezing, incubation, ultrasounds, deep eutectic solvents). Freezing or Freeze-drying spirulina allows a highly facilitated rupture of the cell membranes. Incubation in water allows then a quick release of C-PC and other phycobiliproteins at 45 °C (2 h) while it takes less than 8 h at 35 °C and 25–30 h at ambient temperature. In addition to microscopic observation, the evolution of solutes concentration with incubation time confirms that hydrosoluble pigments are first preferentially released relatively to chlorophyll which requires deeper collapse of the spirulina cells. Use of ultrasounds allows an extraction of the spirulina content in 15 min of treatment with a high C-PC extraction yield (> 200 mg/g) and good protein purity (around 0.7). Ethyl acetate, ethanol and a mixture of these solvents give good extraction yields of chlorophyll (around 21 mg/g). C-PC extraction yield is yet then decreased due to a denaturation of the hydrated pigment. Fructose can be used to prevent denaturation by both organic solvent and freezing/freeze-drying. The use of deep-eutectic solvents is not recommended here as no better yield or selectivity are achieved compared to extraction in buffered water.

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Funding

The funding has been received from FEDER with Grant no. ESR_R&S_DI-000173.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-Industrielle, LCA, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, Toulouse, France

    J.-F. Fabre, Z. Mouloungui & R. Valentin

  2. Laboratoire Laplace, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France

    N. U. F. Niangoran, C. Gaignard & D. Buso

  3. Laboratoire de Physique Fondamentale et Appliquée (LPFA), Université Nangui Abrogoua, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

    N. U. F. Niangoran

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  1. J.-F. Fabre
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  2. N. U. F. Niangoran
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  5. Z. Mouloungui
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Correspondence to J.-F. Fabre.

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Fabre, JF., Niangoran, N.U.F., Gaignard, C. et al. Extraction of C-PC from Arthrospira platensis: use of ultrasounds, organic solvents and deep eutectic solvents. Eur Food Res Technol 250, 1149–1161 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-023-04452-1

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