International Journal on Algae

Biochemical principles for phycoerythrin production from marine algae

ABSTRACT

Biochemical principles of the production process for obtaining phycoerythrin (a food dye) from marine alga gracilaria have been developed. Optimal conditions for destruction of algae and extraction of dye (composition of the extractant, its concentration, pH, temperature, and time of treatment) are determined. General recommendations are given for the creation of pilot production. The method for destruction of marine red algal biomass based on the principle of mechanical destruction of the cell wall of algae and on the freezing of the extracting agent with homogenization of algae is approved and recommended. To obtain and preliminarily purify the phycoerythrin extract, the successive filtration and centrifugation of the destroyed biomass of algae and extract of phycoerythrin are advanced. The membrane filtration and deposition using the 45−50% aqueous solution of ethyl alcohol or acetone is suggested for final purification and concentration of the extract. The suggested method for production of food dye from gracilaria allows us to obtain pure phycoerythrin of an intensive red-crimson color, which may be widely used in food and perfume industries as food supplements, dyes, in perfumes, as fluorescent markers for diagnostics in medical industries, and in radiobiology.