The efficiency and comparison of novel techniques for cell wall disruption in astaxanthin extraction from Haematococcus pluvialis

Summary The efficiency of various techniques pulsed electric field (PEF), ultrasound (US), high-pressure microfluidisation (HPMF), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and ionic liquids (ILs) for cell wall disruption in astaxanthin extraction from Haematococcus pluvialis was compared. The results indicated that ILs, HCl and HPMF treatment were shown the most efficient for cell disruption with more than 80% astaxanthin recovery. While the cell wall integrity of H. pluvialis cyst cell was less affected by US and PEF treatment. It was found that imidazolium-based ILs showed the greater potential for cell disruption than pyridinium-based and ammonium-based ILs. Among all the ILs examined, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim] Cl) exhibited efficient cell disruption and capability of astaxanthin recovery at mild condition (pretreatment with 40% IL aqueous solution at 40 °C, followed by extraction with methanol at 50 °C) without extensive energy consumption and special facility requirement. In addition, recyclability of ILs was excellent.