Extraction Of Pigments Research Articles

Improvement in the Sequential Extraction of Phycobiliproteins from Arthrospira platensis Using Green Technologies.

Arthrospira platensis (commercially known as Spirulina) is an excellent source of phycobiliproteins, especially C-phycocyanin. Phycobiliproteins are significant bioactive compounds with useful biological applications. The extraction process plays a significant role in downstream microalga production and utilisation. The important pigments found in A. platensis include chlorophyll and carotenoids as nonpolar pigments and phycobiliproteins as polar pigments. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) as a green extraction technology for the high-value metabolites of microalgae has potential for trends in food and human health. The nonpolar bioactive compounds, chlorophyll and carotenoids of A. platensis, were primarily separated using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) solvent-free fluid extraction pressure; the temperature and ethanol as cosolvent conditions were compared. The residue from the A. platensis cells was subjected to phycobiliprotein extraction. The phosphate and water extraction of A. platensis SFE residue were compared to evaluate phycobiliprotein extraction. The SFE results exhibited higher pressure (350 bar) and temperature extraction (50 °C) with ethanol-free extraction and increased nonpolar pigment. Phycobiliprotein yield was obtained from A. platensis SFE residue by ethanol-free buffer extraction as a suitable process with antioxidant properties. The C-phycocyanin was isolated and enhanced to 0.7 purity as food grade. This developed method can be used as a guideline and applied as a sustainable process for important pigment extraction from Arthrospira microalgae.

ANTIBIOFILM AND IN VITRO CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY OF PIGMENT EXTRACTED FROM MARINE BACTERIA Kocuria flava (AP2)

Natural pigments can be obtained from various sources like plant, microorganisms, and marine algae because synthetic pigments have some toxicity issues and are carcinogenic to both products and workers. Therefore, it is thought that bacterial pigment is a crucial metabolic product beneficial to bacteria and may possess certain biological features like antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activity. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the antibiofilm and anticancer activities of crude pigment extract from a marine bacterial isolate. The Antibiofilm assay was studied by the 96-well plate method. The pigment from K. flava (AP2) has the ability to inhibit biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter sp, Enterococcus faecalis, and Escherichia coli. The optical density at 570 nm wavelength on a plate reader to quantify the overall bacterial growth in each well. Among the six strains, moderate biofilm inhibition were observed at 2.5 µg/ml. In-vitro anticancer activity of bacterial pigment extract was evaluated by MTT assay against human colon cancer (HT-29). As a result of the pigments' strong cytotoxic action, they could be employed as biological agents in medicine.

Evaluation of ultrasound-assisted extraction of fucoxanthin and total pigments from three croatian macroalgal species

Evaluation of ultrasound-assisted extraction of fucoxanthin and total pigments from three croatian macroalgal species

An Investigation into Apricot Pulp Waste as a Source of Antioxidant Polyphenols and Carotenoid Pigments

The interest in extracting bioactive compounds from food processing waste is growing unabated. Apricots are widely consumed worldwide, and many tons of waste are produced annually. Therefore, apricot pulp waste (APW) may serve as a rich source of bioactive compounds. In the present study, we investigated the extraction of antioxidant polyphenols and carotenoid pigments from APW. In both cases, a response surface methodology was employed, so as to optimize the extraction parameters. As regards polyphenols, it was found that optimum extraction yield (i.e., 28.6 mg gallic acid equivalents per g of dry weight) was achieved using a deep eutectic solvent (comprised of glycerol, citric acid, and L-proline at a molar ratio of 2:1:1), a liquid-to-solid ratio of 100 mL/g, and heating at 80 °C for 155 min. Similarly, optimum extraction of carotenoids (171.2 mg β-carotene equivalents per 100 g of dry weight) was achieved by extracting APW with an n-hexane: acetone: ethanol (2:1:1, v/v/v) mixture at 47 °C for 60 min. The proposed methods were highly efficient and can serve as an alternative to conventional methods employed to date.

Ommochrome Wing Pigments in the Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae).

Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) use bright orange coloration to warn off predators as well as for sexual selection. Surprisingly the underlying pigment compounds have not been previously characterized. We used LCMS and fragmentation MS (including MSMS and MSn) of extracted pigments from nonmigratory summer-generation female monarch forewings to identify and provide relative quantitation of various orange pigments from D. plexippus. We observed seven ommochrome pigments, with xanthommatin and decarboxylated xanthommatin being the most abundant followed by xanthommatin methyl ester. Among the seven pigments, we also observed molecules that correspond to deaminated forms of these three amine-containing pigments. To the best of our knowledge, these deaminated compounds have not been previously discovered. A seventh pigment that we observed was α-hydroxyxanthommatin methyl ester, previously described in other nymphalid butterflies. We also show that chemical reduction of pigment extracts results in a change of their color from yellow to red, concomitant with the appearance of dihydro-xanthommatin and similarly reduced forms of the other pigment compounds. These findings indicate that monarchs may employ differences in the redox states of these pigments in order to achieve different hues of orange.

Effect of Photosynthetic Pigment Composition of Tropical Marine Microalgae from Ambon Bay Navicula sp. TAD on Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Efficiency

Solar cells using dyes as sensitizers continue to expand. The synthetic dye used as a sensitizing material for solar cells has high production costs, difficult to find, and can cause environmental pollution. Photosynthetic pigments as sensitizers are considered to be the solution to this matter. In this research, we investigated the effect of photosynthetic pigments from the Navicula sp. TAD as a dye-sensitized material on the efficiency of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell. To obtain high biomass, the Navicula sp. TAD was cultivated in a modified medium. Pigment extract from dry biomass using acetone, then continued with purification of the pigment using column chromatography techniques. Characterization of pigment by scanning the absorption pattern of visible rays, the fabrication of solar cells with TiO2 paste, and the photographic test of the solar cells filled with solar simulators. Navicula sp. TAD has photosynthetic pigments consisting of chlorophyll and carotenoid with 8.570 gmL−1 and 2.581 gmL−1, respectively. Solar cells using pigment crude extract, chlorophyll, and xanthophyll which TiO2 absorbs as electrodes, have efficiency values of 6.150×10−4, 3.482×10−3, and 4.117×10−3%, respectively.

Investigating the Possibility of Producing Nitrite-Free German Sausages Containing Different Concentrations of Cochineal Pigment Alone or in Combination with Cumin Essential Oil

Background: Many of the most common cancers, such as prostate and breast cancer are due to the presence of harmful agents and compounds in processed foods, including nitrite. In this research the physicochemical, antioxidant, and color properties of sodium nitrite-free sausages containing different concentrations of cochineal pigment alone or in combination with cumin essential oil were studied and compared with the control sample containing sodium nitrite.
 Methods: The extract of cochineal pigment in concentrations 200 ppm, 400 ppm, and 600 ppm alone or with 0.004 % w/w of essential oil of cumin were added to 40% red meat German sausage and physico-chemical, antioxidant, and color changes of the samples during 1, 10, 20, and 30 days after production (in refrigerator conditions) were compared with the control (without cochineal pigment, essential oil of cumin, and 120 ppm sodium nitrite) sample.
 Results: The findings of the study showed that this substitution did not have a significant (P > 0.05) effect on physico-chemical properties, and by increasing the concentration of cochineal pigment in the samples, the antioxidant properties of the samples significantly increased. The samples containing 400 or 600 ppm of cochineal pigment with 0.004 %w/w of cumin in the formulation were not significantly different from control sample in terms of antioxidant properties and were selected as superior treatment.
 Conclusion: It is possible to produce a healthy German sausage without nitrite by using cochineal pigment and cumin essential oil.

High Purity Grade Phycocyanin Recovery by Decupling Cell Lysis from the Pigment Extraction: an Innovative Approach

Phycocyanin, a phycobiliprotein, is one of the few natural blue pigments available as food colourant, and it is largely used in food industry. We have devised an innovative two-step extraction process which allowed to obtain bright blue phycocyanin crude extracts with high purity grade P (within 2.5 and 3.5) directly from fresh biomass of Arthrospira platensis Gomont 1892 (commonly named Spirulina). We found out and for the first time exploited ammonium sulphate capability to minimize the release of water soluble phycobiliproteins in aqueous medium during ultrasound-assisted cell lysis/purification phase. The conventional sequence which is, extraction followed by purification, was reversed. The extraction phase was decoupled from biomass cell lysis. Cell lysis, accomplished by ultrasonication in ammonium sulphate solution, was merged with purification in a single step, before the pigment extraction/recovering phase. The process was entirely carried out in aqueous solutions. No downstream purification was required to obtain products suitable for the most common phycocyanin applications (i.e. foods, nutraceuticals). Production time, hours instead of days, was reduced to the advantage of the product quality. The process has the great advantages of (1) direct use of extracting solutions that cannot be used in the ordinary ultrasound-assisted extraction of phycocyanin (because of the extensive simultaneous extraction of contaminant molecules), (2) gain of high commercial value phycocyanin due to the elevated purity grade and (3) direct production of highly concentrated bright blue pigment crude extracts (up to about 5 mg mL−1) immediately in hand to the market.Graphical

Studi Komposisi Pigmen Makro Alga (Gelidium corneum) yang Berasal Dari Pantai Yakoba Kota Jayapura

Macroalgae or also known as seaweed is a low-level plant that does not have true roots, stems and leaves. The function of the roots, stems and leaves is replaced by the thallus. The purpose of this study was to study the composition of macroalgae pigments (Gelidium corneum) originating from Yakoba Beach, Jayapura City. The method used in this research is an experimental method with pigment analysis using Thin Chromatography and Visible UV Spectrophotometry. The TLC plate test shows the results of identification of the crude extract of the Gelidium corneum pigment. The first three spots are green with an Rf value of 0.24 identified as chlorophyll compounds, the second spot is blue green which is identified as chlorophyll a compound with an Rf value of 0.26 and the third spot was green and yellow identified as chlorophyll b compound with an Rf value of 0.33. The absorbance pattern or wavelength (nm) from the results of the identification of this pigment shows that there are 3 highest peaks identified as chlorophyll pigments where the absorption pattern is at a wavelength of 350-700 nm (Habone, 1987 in Doli et al, 2020).

Microwave-ultrasound assisted extraction of red corn pigments and their effect on chemical composition and tecno-functional properties

Currently, there is a growing interest in obtaining natural pigments, without presenting a risk to health, as well as to the matrix and food safety. The objective of this study was to characterize grains with different shades of red color (High pigmentation maize = RA, Medium pigmentation maize = RM, and Low pigmentation maize = RB, reddish maize with white segments = VO and white maize control = SC). The physical properties (kernel weight, length, width, thickness, and grain and flour color), chemical composition (moisture, fat, protein, fiber, starch, ash, and minerals), and techno-functional properties (capacity of absorption of organic molecules (OMAC), swelling (CH), oil retention (CAAC), and water absorption (WAS)) variables were measured. Afterward, RM was selected, and a pigment extraction (EAUM) was carried out using microwave-ultrasound equipment with different ratios of ethanol (0, 30, and 70%) and citric acid ratios (0 and 1%). The color and properties of the solid (starch, protein, fat, and their techno-functional properties) were determined in the aqueous phase and were compared with the properties prior to EAUM. The results indicated that the red grains have higher starch content (57.6%) and reddish colors, in addition, VO presented higher moisture (10.4%), fat (6.7%) and fiber (10.0%). The colors of the pigments obtained with EtOH (30 and 70%) show shades red and yellow. Finally, the EAUM decreased the fat content up to 57%, increased WAS and CAAC in the residual flour and generated changes in OMAC and CH, increasing in aqueous medium and reducing with EtOH.

Selective Isolation of Bioactive-Pigmented Bacteria from Saline Agricultural Soil and Assessment of Their Antimicrobial Potential against Plant Pathogens

The high incidence of disease and pests and their resistance to chemical control agents pose serious threats to both the agriculture sector and the environment. The present study assessed the antagonistic potential of bioactive pigment-producing bacteria isolated from the saline agricultural fields of Gujrat, Pakistan, against plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria. The seeded agar overlay method was used to selectively isolate bioactive pigment-producing colonies. Isolates were identified as Nonomurae salmonae, Streptomyces chromofuscus, and Actinocorallia libanotica using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. All the isolates and their crude pigment extracts were screened to assess antifungal activity against five fungal phytopathogens, namely Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum), Fusarium solani (F. solani), Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus), Aspergillus niger (A. niger), and Alternaria alternata (A. alternata), as well as two bacterial phytopathogens, namely Psuedomonas syringae (P. syringae) and Xanthomonas axonopodis (X. axonopodis). Of these, Streptomyces chromofuscus was found to be active against most of the fungal and bacterial phytopathogens tested, followed by Nonomurae salmonae. Actinocorallia libanotica showed little to no activity against the tested microbes. Nonomurae salmonae and Actinocorallia libanotica are rare actinomycetes and the current study is the first to assess their antimicrobial activity against plant pathogens, specifically, plant pathogenic bacteria, i.e., P. syringae and X. axonopodis. The isolation of these species suggests that the chances of the isolation of rare species of microbes, which can serve as promising new sources of bioactive compounds, can be increased by using enhanced techniques for isolation. The results of this preliminary study assessing the antagonistic effect of bioactive pigment-producing bacterial isolates against plant pathogens are encouraging, and suggest a detailed research on the modes of action, optimum working conditions, and active components involved in an antagonism of these bioactive pigment-producing bacteria.

Comparative evaluation of anthocyanin pigment yield and its attributes from Butterfly pea (Clitorea ternatea L.) flowers as prospective food colorant using different extraction methods

Amongst natural colors, blue is probably the most difficult natural color to work with since the sources are scarce; the pigment color is dependant on pH and it is the least stable. Clitoria ternatea L. produces edible flowers that are rich sources of brilliant blue-colored anthocyanins called "ternatins". The present study was conducted with the objective of coming up with an efficient, low-cost, and eco-friendly method of anthocyanin pigment extraction from Butterfly pea flowers with the perspective of food application. Amongst different extraction methods used, aqueous method gave significantly higher TMAC (7925.29±36.07 mg/l) and per cent polymeric color (25.28±1.14 %), whereas higher recovery (73.17±1.76 %), antioxidant activity viz. DPPH (3.49±0.59 µl/ml), FRAP (3.99±1.10 µl/ml) and ABTS ((2.42±0.01 µl/ml), total phenolics (29.78±1.79 mgGAE/100 g), total flavonoids (20.13±0.40 mgQE/100 g), instrumental color values indicating brilliant-blue color viz. L* (27.74±0.73), a* (46.90±0.77), b* (-63.25±0.13) and chroma (78.74±0.38) hue angle (306.56±0.50) were observed in microwave assisted extraction (MAE) method. LC-MS/MS analysis of the pigment concentrate resulted in the detection of myristyl sulphate and DL-malic acid, having pharmacological significance. The proposed extraction method is the safest, economic, convenient, and eco-friendly solution for commercial anthocyanin extraction that can be up-scaled as a green-extraction technique at the industrial level.

Optimization of Extraction of Natural Antimicrobial Pigments Using Supercritical Fluids: A Review

It has become increasingly popular to replace chemically synthesized compounds with natural counterparts mostly found in natural sources, such as natural pigments. The conventional extraction processes for these compounds are limited by the toxicity and flammability of the solvents. To obtain pure extracts, it is always a longer process that requires several steps. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a cutting-edge green technology that is continuously increasing and expanding its fields of application, with benefits such as no waste produced, shorter extraction time, automation, and lower solvent consumption. The SFE of natural pigments has high potential in food, textiles, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals; there are a number of other applications that can benefit from the SFE technique of natural pigments. The pigments that are extracted via SFE have a high potential for application and sustainability because of their biological and antimicrobial properties as well as low environmental risk. This review provides an update on the SFE technique, specifically as it pertains to the optimization of health-promoting pigments. This review focuses on antimicrobial pigments and the high efficiency of SFE in extracting pure antimicrobial pigments. In addition, the optimal conditions, biological activities, and possible applications of each category are explained.

Characterization of complex photosynthetic pigment profiles in European deciduous tree leaves by sequential extraction and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Leaf pigments, including chlorophylls and carotenoids, are important biochemical indicators of plant photosynthesis and photoprotection. In this study, we developed, optimized, and validated a sequential extraction and liquid chromatography-diode array detection method allowing for the simultaneous quantification of the main photosynthetic pigments, including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, β-carotene, lutein, neoxanthin, and the xanthophyll cycle (VAZ), as well as the characterization of plant pigment derivatives. Chromatographic separation was accomplished with the newest generation of core–shell columns revealing numerous pigment derivatives. The sequential extraction allowed for a better recovery of the main pigments (+25 % chlorophyll a, +30 % chlorophyll b, +42 % β-carotene, and 61% xanthophylls), and the characterization of ca. 5.3 times more pigment derivatives (i.e., up to 62 chlorophyll and carotenoid derivatives including isomers) than with a single-step extraction. A broad working range of concentrations (300–2,000 ng.mL−1) was achieved for most pigments and their derivatives and the limit of detection was as low as a few nanograms per milliliter. The method also showed adequate trueness (RSD < 1%) and intermediate precision (RSD < 5%). The method was developed and validated with spinach leaves and their extracts. The method was successfully performed on leaf pigment extracts of European deciduous tree species. Within a case study using Fagus sylvatica L. leaves, pigment derivatives revealed a high within-individual tree variability throughout the growing season that could not be detected using the main photosynthetic pigments alone, eventually showing that the method allowed for the monitoring of pigment dynamics at unprecedented detail.

Combination of long-term 13CO2 labeling and isotopolog profiling allows turnover analysis of photosynthetic pigments in Arabidopsis leaves

BackgroundLiving cells maintain and adjust structural and functional integrity by continual synthesis and degradation of metabolites and macromolecules. The maintenance and adjustment of thylakoid membrane involve turnover of photosynthetic pigments along with subunits of protein complexes. Quantifying their turnover is essential to understand the mechanisms of homeostasis and long-term acclimation of photosynthetic apparatus. Here we report methods combining whole-plant long-term 13CO2 labeling and liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analysis to determine the size of non-labeled population (NLP) of carotenoids and chlorophylls (Chl) in leaf pigment extracts of partially 13C-labeled plants.ResultsThe labeling chamber enabled parallel 13CO2 labeling of up to 15 plants of Arabidopsis thaliana with real-time environmental monitoring ([CO2], light intensity, temperature, relative air humidity and pressure) and recording. No significant difference in growth or photosynthetic pigment composition was found in leaves after 7-d exposure to normal CO2 (~ 400 ppm) or 13CO2 in the labeling chamber, or in ambient air outside the labeling chamber (control). Following chromatographic separation of the pigments and mass peak assignment by high-resolution Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance MS, mass spectra of photosynthetic pigments were analyzed by triple quadrupole MS to calculate NLP. The size of NLP remaining after the 7-d 13CO2 labeling was ~ 10.3% and ~ 11.5% for all-trans- and 9-cis-β-carotene, ~ 21.9% for lutein, ~ 18.8% for Chl a and 33.6% for Chl b, highlighting non-uniform turnover of these pigments in thylakoids. Comparable results were obtained in all replicate plants of the 13CO2 labeling experiment except for three that were showing anthocyanin accumulation and growth impairment due to insufficient water supply (leading to stomatal closure and less 13C incorporation).ConclusionsOur methods allow 13CO2 labeling and estimation of NLP for photosynthetic pigments with high reproducibility despite potential variations in [13CO2] between the experiments. The results indicate distinct turnover rates of carotenoids and Chls in thylakoid membrane, which can be investigated in the future by time course experiments. Since 13C enrichment can be measured in a range of compounds, long-term 13CO2 labeling chamber, in combination with appropriate MS methods, facilitates turnover analysis of various metabolites and macromolecules in plants on a time scale of hours to days.

Growth ability, carbon source utilization and biochemical features of the new specie Zalaria obscura

This research investigated the characteristics of Zalaria obscura LS31012019 in terms of growth ability in different media (SDB, YPD and TSB) and temperatures (22, 25 and 37 °C), utilization of several carbon sources (Glucose, Fructose, Lactose, Sucrose, Xylose, Glycerol and Mannitol at 5, 2 and 1%) and several biochemical features (total protein content, Glutathione, pigments), in comparison with those of the phylogenetically related Aureobasidium pullulans ATCC 15233. The best growth of Z. obscura LS31012019 was obtained in YPD at 25 °C with the highest OD value (0.45) after 144 h of incubation, similar to that of A. pullulans ATCC 15233 (0.48). Glucose resulted the preferred carbon source for both the considered yeasts but also sucrose resulted in efficacy supporting the growth of Z. obscura LS31012019 and A. pullulans ATCC 15233, for their ability in converting sucrose to glucose and fructose and the latter into glucose. Interestingly, Z. obscura LS31012019 utilized also glycerol and mannitol. The biochemical analysis showed the similarity of protein profile in Z. obscura LS31012019 and A. pullulans ATCC 15233 (from 90 to 20 kDa) and a reduced GSH content (0.321 and 0.233 µmol/mg). The pigments extraction with hexane generated a yellow oleaginous pellet in both the strains, while a yellow solid matrix more intensely coloured in A. pullulans ATTC 15233 was visible with the following solvent extractions. Overall, our data showed that Z. obscura LS31012019 can grow in different media and temperatures and utilize carbon sources apart from glucose and sucrose, shifting to a non-fermentative metabolism. These results improve the information regarding the characteristics of Z. obscura, opening a new field of investigation for the possible application of new species of black yeasts in human application.

An orange pigment from the marine bacterium Paracoccus haeundaensis SAB E11 as a prospective source of natural antioxidants

Abstract. Abubakar H, Astuti RI, Listyowati S, Batubara I, Wahyudi AT. 2022. An orange pigment from the marine bacterium Paracoccus haeundaensis SAB E11 as a prospective source of natural antioxidants. Biodiversitas 23: 4730-4737. Bacterial pigment extracts are the source of many natural antioxidant substances. The present study aimed to assess the antioxidant activity of an orange pigment derived from a marine bacterium, identified as Paracoccus haeundaensis SAB E11, analyzed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis(ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). Methanol-pigmented crude extract of P. haeundaensis SAB E11 exhibited the best DPPH scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 54.7 mg/mL, while the n-hexane crude pigment extract of the bacterium reduced ABTS optimally with an IC50 value of 24.46 mg/mL. The analysis of antioxidant compounds in P. haeundaensis SAB E11 was identified by combining liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS). The five antioxidant compounds from methanol and n-hexane crude pigment extract of P. haeundaensis SAB E11 have been detected. Polyphenols were found to be the major compound, such as 3,5,3’,4’-tetrahydroxystilbene, scopoletin, and liquiritigenin. The other compounds were dihydroactinidiolide (terpenes) and ricinoleic acid (a fatty acid compound). The orange-colored extract of marine bacterium P. haeundaensis SAB E11 could be promising pharmacological capabilities as an antioxidant.

Extraction of red pigment from Chinese jujube peel and the antioxidant activity of the pigment extracts

Abstract Chinese jujube is a delicious fruit with high antioxidant nutrients. The fruit peel, however, is always discarded due to its indigestibility. In the current study, the jujube peels were collected for red pigment extraction. Six extraction-related parameters (ethanol concentration, solid-liquid ratio, material granularity, enzyme concentration, enzymolysis time, and pH) were optimized for jujube peel pigment extraction using Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken designs. When the fruit peels were treated with 1.18% cellulase and 73% ethanol at pH 3.15, optimization enhanced the pigment extraction efficiency by 29.7% compared with the control. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) assay revealed that delphinidin 3-O-galactoside and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside chloride were the major components of the jujube pigment extracts. Additionally, the red pigment extracts exhibited high free radical scavenging capacity and strong Fe3+ reducing power. Finally, it also provides us a simple new method for efficient extraction of natural antioxidants from discarded jujube peels.

Factorial Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Phycocyanin from Synechocystis salina: Towards a Biorefinery Approach.

PC is a bioactive and colorant compound widely sought in the food, nutraceutical and cosmetic industries, and one of the most important pigments produced by Synechocystis salina. However, the general extraction process is usually time-consuming and expensive, with low extraction yields—thus compromising a feasible and sustainable bioprocess. Hence, new extraction technologies (e.g., ultrasound assisted-extraction or UAE) emerged in the latest years may serve as a key step to make the overall bioprocess more competitive. Therefore, this study aimed at optimizing the yields of phycocyanin (PC) rich-extracts of S. salina by resorting to UAE; in attempts to explore this process in a more economically feasible way; valorization of the remaining cyanobacterial biomass, via extraction of other bioactive pigments and antioxidants, was tackled within a biorefinery perspective. A two-stage extraction (using ethanol and water) was thus performed (because it favors PC extraction); other bioactive pigments, including chlorophyll a (chl a), carotenoids, and other phycobiliproteins (PBPs), but also antioxidant (AOX) capacity and extraction yields were also evaluated for their optimum UAE yields. A factorial design based on Box–Behnken model was developed; and the influence of such extraction parameters as biomass to solvent ratio (B/S ratio = 1.5–8.5 mg·mL−1), duty cycle (DT = 40–100%), and percentage of amplitude (A = 40–100%) were evaluated. The model predicted higher PC yields with high B/S ratio = 6 mg·mL−1, lower DT = 80% and an A = 100%. Classical extraction was compared with UAE under the optimum conditions found; the latter improved PC yields by 12.5% and 47.8%, when compared to freeze-thawing extraction, and bead beater homogenization-based extraction, respectively. UAE successive extractions allowed to valorize other important bioactive compounds than PC, by reusing biomass, supporting a favorable contribution to the economic feasibility of the S. salina-based process towards a biorefinery approach.

Antibacterial Activity of Carotenoid Pigments Produced by Heterotrophic Bacteria from Seawater in Krakal Coastal Area, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Investigating natural pigments resulting from marine bacterial secondary metabolites is important because of their broad benefits in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and textile industries. In this study, 52 isolates of pigmented bacteria were isolated from seawater in the Krakal coastal area, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Seven bacterial isolates showed high pigment stability. Profiling of pigment extracts using a mixture of acetone and methanol with UV–Vis spectrophotometric reading showed that the compounds produced were carotenoids. The highest total carotenoid content with UV–Vis spectrophotometric reading at 480 nm was produced by the Kral-3 isolate (1800 mg/g), followed by Kral-15 (1698.9 mg/g) and Kral-25 (797.2 mg/g) isolates. Analysis of the antibacterial activity of the carotenoid extracts of Kral-3, Kral-15, and Kral-25 isolates using the agar well diffusion method revealed a very strong inhibition score against Escherichia coli. In addition, the carotenoid extract of the Kral-3 isolate showed a strong inhibition score against Staphylococcus aureus, whereas the Kral-15 and Kral-25 isolates showed moderate inhibition scores. Based on the 16S rRNA gene analysis, the Kral-3, Kral-15, and Kral-25 isolates were identified as Kocuria rhizophilla, Calidifontibacter sp., and Rhodococcus ruber, respectively. Based on the findings, the novel bacterial strains are a potential bioresource for the commercial production of natural carotenoids.