Optimization of Carrageenan Extraction Process From Seaweed

Abstract

Carrageenan is an economically important biopolymer. It is used in chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries. The present study was done to optimize the extraction of crude carrageenan. The extraction of crude carrageenan involved aqueous treatment and ethanol precipitation. In the aqueous treatment of extraction process, three extraction parameters (i.e. temperature, concentration and pH) have been investigated whereas in isolation process, ethanol was used to study the separation of crude carrageenan through precipitation. Based on experimental analysis, aqueous treatments influenced the yield and physicochemical properties of crude carrageenan. The yield of the crude carrageenan varied in accordance with extraction parameters. The sulfate content, moisture content and viscosity of the crude carrageenan is also varied as per the extraction parameter. The maximum yield of crude carrageenan was 29.4%, with sulfate content at 32%, moisture content at 6.58%, viscosity 152 MPa.s. The extraction and isolation of crude carrageenan was successfully conducted.