Phycocyanin content and nutritional profile of Arthrospira platensis from Mexico: efficient extraction process and stability evaluation of phycocyanin

Abstract

Phycocyanin is a blue natural food colorant with multiple health benefits. Here we propose an efficient phycocyanin extraction method from Arthrospira platensis from Mexico. Three extraction methods were applied to optimize the extraction process, using water and buffer as solvents, with three pH values at two agitation times. The highest phycocyanin, 54.65 mg/g, was extracted from dry biomass with water as a solvent using an ultrasonication bar. The optimum condition of extraction was determined to be 1:50 biomass/solvent ratio for dry biomass, with the freeze/thaw method for 20 min repeated twice, and then agitated at 120 rpm for 24 h. The phycocyanin content was 48.88 mg/g biomass, with a purity of 0.47. For scalable phycocyanin productivity, the sonication method is recommended as there is no statistical difference. The phycocyanin stability was best at − 20 °C storage temperature at pH 7 for 35 days. Partial purification with ammonium sulfate was found to be suitable as a fractional precipitation method, first at 0–20% and then 20–65%, to get purity nearly 1. Total protein was found to be 55.52%, and total amino acids after phycocyanin extraction was 33%. The maximum phycocyanin yield using water as a solvent was the most interesting result regardless of the method used for extraction.

Protein c-phycocyanin, structure, physicochemical and biological properties, methods of extraction

“…Microalgae are a group of photosynthetic microorganisms, which embraces both prokaryotic and eukaryotic forms that convert sunlight, water, and CO 2 to algal biomass [2]. Microalgae are a rich source of proteins, similar to traditional protein sources such as eggs, meat, milk and soybeans [3]. Microalgae can be also a source of minerals, carbohydrates, and other essential nutrients, including omega fatty acids and vitamins (B Arthrospira platensis dry biomass powder from Mexico contained 60 % of proteins, 28.5 % of carbohydrates, and 2.65 % of fats [3].…”

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“…The specific blue color of cyanobacteria and other crytophytes, red algae is related to phycocyanin pigment [7]. Phycocyanin usually appears dark cobalt blue in the powder form [3,7,13]. It has a covalent bond that binds to prosthetic groups, which are the same as billins [1].…”

“…The phycocyanin content can reach 60-70 mg/g in cyanobacteria [3]. This content depends on the species of microalgae, physical state of biomass (dry, wet, or frozen weight of cells), extraction technique, etc.…”

“…They consist of four layers: fibrils, peptidoglycans, proteins, and oligosaccharides, similar to Gram-negative bacteria [3]. There are physi cal, chemical and enzymatic methods of breaking cell walls.…”

Effect of ultrasonication-assisted extraction time on the profile of phycocyanin from wet biomass Spirulina plantesis

“…[1]. [2] found that the crude phycocyanin content of Arthrospira platensis was 0.286 g/g, which was 28.6% of the dry biomass with a purity of 0.46. It has a high selling value because of its bright blue color, redfluorescent properties, and various biological activity, including antioxidant, anticancer [3], antiinflammation, and immunostimulatory properties [4].…”