Abstract
As an abundant marine xanthophyll, fucoxanthin (FX) exhibits a broad range of biological activities. The preparation of high-purity FX is in great demand, however, most of the available methods require organic solvents which cannot meet the green chemistry standard. In the present study, a simple and efficient purification approach for the purification of FX from the brown seaweed Sargassum horneri was carried out. The FX-rich ethanol extract was isolated by octadecylsilyl (ODS) column chromatography using ethanol–water solvent as a gradient eluent. The overwhelming majority of FX was successfully eluted by the ethanol–water mixture (9:1, v/v), with a recovery rate of 95.36%. A parametric study was performed to optimize the aqueous ethanol precipitation process by investigating the effects on the purity and recovery of FX. Under the optimal conditions, the purity of FX was 91.07%, and the recovery rate was 74.98%. Collectively, the eco-friendly method was cost-efficient for the purification of FX. The developed method provides a potential approach for the large-scale production of fucoxanthin from the brown seaweed Sargassum horneri.
Highlights
As one of the most abundant marine carotenoids, fucoxanthin (FX) accounts for approximately 10% of the total production of carotenoids in nature [1]
It should be noted here that the overwhelming majority of FX was successfully eluted by an ethanol–water mixture (9:1, v/v), and the recovery rate of FX in the FX-rich fraction was 95.36%
For the first time, FX was successfully isolated from brown seaweed by ODS column chromatography
Summary
As one of the most abundant marine carotenoids, fucoxanthin (FX) accounts for approximately 10% of the total production of carotenoids in nature [1]. FX possesses a unique structure, including an unusual allenic bond, a 5,6-monoepoxide, and a conjugated carbonyl group in the polyene chain of the molecule [6]. Such a unique structure is unstable and can be isomerized or degraded by heating, aerial exposure, and illumination due to its poor chemical stability during the process of extraction, purification, and storage [7,8,9]. FX has been declared safe for consumption by humans or animals [11]. Healthy supplements with FX are recognized as safe by the European Food Safety Authority, Japan’s Food for Specified Health Uses, and the US Food and Drug Administration [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
