Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Fucoxanthin from Undaria pinnatifida

Abstract

Undaria pinnatifida, commonly known as wakame in Japan, is one species of brown seaweeds containing valuable bioactive organic compounds such as fucoxanthin, a carotenoid, which has numerous functional properties. However, most of the seaweeds that do not meet strict quality standards are normally discarded as wastes or returned to the sea, a situation which is becoming an environmental concern. In this research, supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO₂) extraction was investigated for the isolation of fucoxanthin. SCCO₂ extraction experiments were carried out at temperature range of 25-60 °C and pressure range of 20-40 MPa, at a carbon dioxide flow rate of 1.0-4.0 mL/min. Results showed that fucoxanthin recovery closed to 80% could be obtained at 40 °C and 40 MPa in extraction time of 180 min. The recovery increased with decreasing temperature and increasing pressure. Pretreatment with microwave (MW) also enhanced the efficiency of extraction due most likely to disruption of the cell membrane. Application of SCCO₂, generally regarded as safe and environmentally benign solvent, for extraction of useful bioactive compounds from unwanted or substandard seaweeds look promising in the near future. The extracts obtained using the method can be utilized as food and pharmaceutical additive, and can be used in the development of new health supplements.

Optimisation of fucoxanthin extraction from Irish seaweeds by response surface methodology

“…Broad ranges have been reported for all three of these parameters, using various protocols. Grosso et al (2015) reviewed extraction methods ranging from pH 3.8 to 8.5; Bidigare et al (2005) reported using 0°C for up to 24 h, Billakanti et al (2013) 37°C for 2 h at pH 6.2, Quitain et al (2013) 40°C for 3 h, Sivagnanam et al (2015) 45°C for 2 h, Roh et al (2008) 49.85°C for 50 min, and Shang et al (2011) pigment-containing thylakoids in the blades, which function as the photosynthesis engines of macroalgae, compared to the stipe or holdfasts which have structural functions. Photoprotection of thallus regions near the ocean surface against ultraviolet light is another function of fucoxanthin in the blades, where it exerts its powerful antioxidant effect (Lobban and Harrison 1994;Stengel and Dring 1998;Hurd et al 2014).…”

Fucoxanthin Elicits Epigenetic Modifications, Nrf2 Activation and Blocking Transformation in Mouse Skin JB6 P+ Cells

“…FX has strong antioxidant properties against obesity and inflammation (40–42). FX reduces the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), damage and apoptosis (43).…”

Innovative Alternative Technologies to Extract Carotenoids from Microalgae and Seaweeds

“…[111] , Synechococcus sp. [116] , Undaria pinnatifida [19,20] has also been reported and shown in Table 2. Overall, SFE has been shown to be an excellent technique for the selective extraction of carotenoids from a wide range of algae and microalgae.…”

“…In particular, fucoxanthin is a characteristic orange xanthophyll, which is abundant in several brown seaweeds including Undaria pinnatifida [18,19,20,21,22,23], Hijikia fusiformis [24], Laminaria japonica [21,25,26], Sargassum sp. [27,28,29,30,31,32], and Fucus sp.…”