Manosonication-assisted extraction of trans-astaxanthin from Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous: A green and organic solvent-free methodology

Abstract

Manosonication process’s potential for astaxanthin extraction from fresh biomass of Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous ATCC 74219 in an aqueous medium has been demonstrated. The efficacy of manosonication to extract the lipid-soluble astaxanthin was attributed to the ultrasound's capability to break the cells and form a monodisperse and stable emulsion using phospholipids and proteins extracted from cell membrane during treatments as emulsifiers. Carotenoid extraction was affected by external pressure, vibration amplitude, and treatment time. Parameters affecting the carotenoid extraction were analyzed and optimized using Response Surface Methodology via Box-Behnken design. Under optimum conditions (96μm of amplitude, 200kPa of external pressure, and 90s), 72% of extractability was achieved, with 2.47mg/gdw of trans-astaxanthin and 2.88mg/gdw of total carotenoids, in a corresponding ratio of astaxanthin to total carotenoids of 85.7%. The carotenoids extractability was linearly related to the specific energy independently of the external pressure and vibration amplitude applied, representing a positive aspect of the process's future scale-up. This research proposes an efficient, solvent-free, and eco-friendly process for the extraction of astaxanthin. The designed process also represents an alternative to enhance astaxanthin's bioavailability and enables its use as a high-value bio-pigment in the food, feed, aquaculture, cosmetic, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.