Abstract
BACKGROUNDMicroalgal biomass is generally used to produce a single product instead of valorizing all of the cellular components. The biomass production and downstream processes are too expensive if only one product is valorized. A new approach was proposed for the simultaneous and selective partitioning of pigments and proteins from disrupted Neochloris oleoabundans cultivated under saline and freshwater conditions.RESULTSAn aqueous two‐phase system composed of polyethylene glycol and cholinium dihydrogen phosphate selectively separated microalgal pigments from microalgal proteins. 97.3 ± 1.0% of lutein and 51.6 ± 2.3% of chlorophyll were recovered in the polymer‐rich phase. Simultaneously, up to 92.2 ± 2.0% of proteins were recovered in a third phase (interface) in between the aqueous phases (interface). The recovered proteins, including Rubisco with a molecular weight of ∼560 kDa, seem to be intact and pigments did not suffer degradation, demonstrating the mildness of this system for fractionating microalgal biomolecules.CONCLUSIONThe ability of aqueous two‐phase systems (ATPSs) to simultaneously and efficiently fractionate different biomolecules in a mild manner from disrupted microalgae is demonstrated. This is an important step towards the development of a multiproduct microalgae biorefinery. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Highlights
Microalgae are a promising feedstock for many industries including biopharmaceuticals, biomaterials, bioenergy, nutraceuticals, agriculture, animal health and cosmetics and personal care.[1]
PEG400-citrate and PEG400-cholinium dihydrogen phosphate (Ch DHp) Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) both consist of a top phase rich in polymer (PEG400) and a bottom phase rich in potassium citrate and Ch DHp, respectively
Proteins recovered in the interface seem to conserve their native conformation based on electrophoresis experiments and pigments did not suffer oxidation in the top phase
Summary
Microalgae are a promising feedstock for many industries including biopharmaceuticals, biomaterials, bioenergy, nutraceuticals, agriculture, animal health and cosmetics and personal care.[1]. Microalgal cells contain several valuable biomolecules, the currently applied separation processes valorize only one specific product (e.g. astaxanthin, phycobiliproteins).[10,11] The development of efficient, mild and scalable methods/processes, capable of fractionating different microalgal biomolecules, is of particular importance.[12] For the fractionation of hydrophobic molecules such as lipids and pigments from disrupted microalgae, organic solvents are often used, whereas water-soluble components such as proteins and carbohydrates are discarded or undervalued.[13] Proteins are fragile molecules that tend to denature during extraction using organic solvents or other harsh conditions.[14] For a complete valorization of microalgal biomass, it is favourable to use mild separation methods. A new approach was proposed for the simultaneous and selective partitioning of pigments and proteins from disrupted Neochloris oleoabundans cultivated under saline and freshwater conditions
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