Modification of phycocyanin extraction from dry biomass of Spirulina by using ozone water

Abstract

Phycocyanin is a water-soluble blue-green pigment from cyanobacteria such as Arthospira plantesis, widely known as Spirulina. The pigment is widely applied as a natural food colorant or consumed as a supplement due to its antioxidant activity. This study aimed to investigate the potential use of ozone water as an extraction solvent of phycocyanin from dry mass Spirulina. The yield, purity, and antioxidant capacity parameter measured the effectivity of ozone water as an extraction solvent. The phycocyanin was extracted by the cold maceration process preceded by the dissolving of the dry mass Spirulina in ozone water by the ratio 1:100. For the control, the dry mass Spirulina was dissolved in mineral water. The method was followed by centrifugation and spectrophotometer measurement. To check the antioxidant capacity, we measure the phycocyanin inhibition rate to DPPH. The data showed that using ozone water as an extraction solvent successfully resulted in a higher yield and purity of phycocyanin than the control. Besides, there is no negative effect on antioxidant capacity affected by ozone water. Therefore, ozone water is a potential solvent to enhance the extraction of phycocyanin from dry mass Spirulina.