Cited by 88Environmental Impact and SustainabilityAlgal biology and biofuel productionSeaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds

Environmental Impact of Phycocyanin Recovery from Spirulina platensis Cyanobacterium

Papadaki, Sofia, Kyriakopoulou, Konstantina, Tzovenis, Ioannis, Krokida, Magdalini·2017·Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies

Abstract

Multifunctional extracts from Spirulina platensis are suggested as food additives, due to their high content in functional ingredients and specifically phycocyanin. The recovery of phycocyanin from the microalgal biomass is performed by using ultrasounds and polar solvents such water, ethanol or buffer. The application of drying pretreatment in combination with the use of different solvents presents variation in the yields, affecting the actual recovery of the protein and hence the environmental impact of the production of 1kg phycocyanin. Life cycle analysis on the recovery techniques for the isolation of the desired phycocyanin was performed in order to evaluate the selected extraction processes' sustainability. Drying exhibited increased environmental footprint due to the energy demand, while at the same time affecting not only the yielding but also the quality of the extracts. The use of aqueous solvents can lead to an environmental and efficient extraction, replacing organic solvent systems sufficiently.Phycocyanin is a pigment-protein complex which is used into various food products to enhance their nutritional qualities acting as food colorant, antioxidant and emulsifier, which can sufficiently replace or reduce the use of synthetic additives. For the effective recovery of phycocyanin, the nutrient should be extracted from the microalgae biomass of Spirulina platensis. The steps to achieve that include the cultivation and harvesting of the microalgae, the drying of the biomass if necessary and the extraction process. However, these steps are resource and energy demanding processes which can affect the environmental footprint and the cost of the final product. Looking for more efficient practices combinations of materials (wet or dried biomass) and solvents (water, buffer and ethanol), which are currently used industrially, were examined in order to evaluate and suggest the most sustainable production line for phycocyanin.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.ifset.2017.02.014

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Authors
Papadaki, S., Kyriakopoulou, K., Tzovenis, I., & Krokida, M.
Affiliations
  • National Technical University of Athens (GR)
  • National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR)
Corresponding author
Papadaki, Sofia
Venue
Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-12
Volume
44
Pages
217-223
ISSN
1466-8564 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2590598748
Cited by
88
References
86
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 8
FWCI
3.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Environmental Impact and Sustainability
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds
Keywords
phycocyanin, Spirulina platensis, cyanobacteria, microalgal biomass, protein extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, solvent extraction, ethanol extraction, drying pretreatment, life cycle assessment, environmental impact, food colorants, sustainable production

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