Abstract
A sequential process for the recovery and purification of multiple products was used on a mixture of algal biomass comprised of Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis) and Dunaliella salina. Activated charcoal was selected as the best adsorbent for phycocyanin recovery and purity in the discrete step product recovery studies based on adsorption coefficients of Langmuir (qm: 0.16 g/g) and Freundlich isotherms (Kf: 0.6 g/g) with R2 = 0.99. The partition coefficient of beta-carotene in various solvent systems was reported as the log P value. Higher log P solvents (≥2.9) were shown to be good for the recovery and purity of beta-carotene for both algae. The presence of polyethylene glycol in an aqueous two-phase separation of beta-carotene resulted in enhanced purity (≥90%). A high gamma-linolenic to linoleic fatty acid index (≥1.8) in the presence of 100% acetone was essential for accomplishing the final gamma-linolenic acid purity of 90%. The results of sequential separation correlated with discrete recovery operations. These results suggest a biorefinery design for biofuels and nutraceuticals.
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