The Effects of Solvents and Solid-to-Solvent Ratios on Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Carotenoids from Chlorella vulgaris

Abstract

Research around using algae as a natural source of carotenoids has been intense in the 21st century, given the wide applications of carotenoids in the pharmaceutical, health, and food industries. This study aimed to get the highest yield of carotenoids from Chlorella vulgaris by ultrasound extraction. This study evaluated two parameters: the extraction solvent (ethanol, acetone, and diethyl ether were tested) and the solid-to-solvent ratio (1:30, 1:50, and 1:100 were tested). The carotenoid extracted from C. vulgaris was lutein, and its compounds were identified by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The highest carotenoid yield was achieved using ethanol at 1.146±0.082 mg/g and a solid-to-solvent ratio of 1:100 (g/mL). This research shows the use of a specific extraction solvent along with a solid-to-solvent ratio is significant to determine carotenoids yield desired. Further study of other parameters (e.g., temperature and ultrasound intensity) is necessary for the optimum extraction condition

Keywords

• carotenoids
• chlorella vulgaris
• lutein
• ultrasound extraction
• solvent extraction