Abstract
Pulsed electric field (PEF) is an innovative technology that allows the creation of pores in the cell membrane through the application of an electric field. Among its main advantages, the increase in the extraction performance of intracellular compounds stands out. In order to study this effect on pigment recovery, a PEF-assisted extraction was performed. For that purpose, a PEF treatment at 3 kV/cm and 100 kJ/kg was applied to a 2% (p/v) suspension of the Arthrospira platensis microalgae, also known as spirulina. After pre-treatment with PEF, the suspension was stirred for 3 h, taking samples at different times. This extraction was compared with a control extraction, which consisted of stirring for 3 h without PEF pre-treatment. Furthermore, the influence of the solvent was evaluated in each case. Therefore, the extraction yield obtained using ethanol 50% (v/v) and DMSO 50% (v/v) was compared. The best results were obtained using 50% (v/v) ethanol as a solvent. In addition, a greater extraction of pigments was observed in the samples pre-treated with PEF. This was especially noticeable at lower extraction times. In conclusion, these results show that PEF is a promising technology for pigment extraction as it is environmentally friendly while improving the profitability of the process.
Supplementary Materials
The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/Foods2021-10964/s1.
Author Contributions
Conceptualization, F.J.B.; methodology, F.J.M.-Q. and F.R.-M.; formal analysis, F.J.M.-Q.; investigation, F.J.M.-Q., F.J.B. and F.R.-M.; resources, F.J.B.; writing—original draft preparation, F.J.M.-Q. and F.R.-M.; writing—review and editing, F.J.M.-Q. and F.J.B.; supervision, F.J.B.; project administration, F.J.B.; funding acquisition, F.J.B. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding
This research was funded by the EU Commission and BBI-JU Horizon H2020, through AQUABIOPRO-FIT project (Aquaculture and agriculture biomass side stream proteins and bioactives for feed, fitness and health promoting nutritional supplements) grant number 790956. This research was also funded by Generalitat Valenciana (IDIFEDER/2018/046—Procesos innovadores de extracción y conservación: pulsos eléctricos y fluidos supercríticos) through the European Union ERDF funds (European Regional Development Fund).
Institutional Review Board Statement
Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement
Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement
Not applicable.
Acknowledgments
F.J.M.-Q. would like to acknowledge the pre-PhD scholarship program of University of Valencia “Atracció de Talent”.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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