Cell disruption and astaxanthin extraction from Haematococcus pluvialis: Recent advances. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Bolam; Youn Lee, Soo; Lakshmi Narasimhan, Aditya; Kim, Sangui; Oh, You-Kwan
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 343(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Haematococcus pluvialis -- Astaxanthin -- Algal biorefinery -- Cell disruption -- Extraction; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126124
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: Haematococcus pluvialis is an excellent source of astaxanthin (∼4% of the dry weight). Its thick cell wall is a very strong barrier to astaxanthin extraction. Milling and high-pressure homogenization using GARS solvents show promising results. Greener approaches with high bioactivity and efficacy at a low cost are required. Abstract: The green microalga Haematococcus pluvialis is an excellent source of astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant widely used in cosmetics, aquaculture, health foods, and pharmaceuticals. This review explores recent developments in cell disruption and astaxanthin extraction techniques applied using H. pluvialis as a model species for large-scale algal biorefinery. Notably, this alga develops a unique cyst-like cell with a rigid three-layered cell wall during astaxanthin accumulation (∼4% of dry weight) under stress. The thick (∼2 µm), acetolysis-resistant cell wall forms the strongest barrier to astaxanthin extraction. Various physical, chemical, and biological cell disruption methods were discussed and compared based on theoretical mechanisms, biomass status (wet, dry, and live), cell-disruption efficacy, astaxanthin extractability, cost, scalability, synergistic combinations, and impact on the stress-sensitive astaxanthin content. The challenges and future prospects of the downstream processes for the sustainable and economic development of advanced H. pluvialis biorefineries are also outlined.