A novel method for extraction of paramylon from Euglena gracilis for industrial production

Abstract

For establishing an extraction process of paramylon for industrial production, the process of disrupting and concentrating Euglena gracilis cells by disc stack centrifuge (DSC), and then paramylon was extracted successfully on the pilot scale by the method of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in this study. The results revealed that the cell disruption rate of 93.44 % could be obtained by disc stack centrifuge. The optimal extraction conditions of paramylon in E. gracilis concentrate were SDS addition of 5.4 g L−1, extraction temperature of 76 °C, single extraction time of 42 min, and the number of extraction times of 2. There was no photosynthetic pigment residue in the extract before washing. Furthermore, washing 3 times could effectively reduce the SDS residue in paramylon. The content of paramylon extracted by the pilot process is >97 %. The extraction yield can reach >92 %. There are no cytochrome and SDS residues in paramylon. The extraction process of paramylon established in this study is convenient, free of organic solvent, and easy to operate and scale up.