| Abstract
| - Haematococcus pluvialis is one of the potent organisms for production of astaxanthin, a high valueketocarotenoid. Astaxanthin is accumulated in thick-walled cyst cells of Haematococcus. The thickcell wall is made up of sporopollenin-like material, algaenan, which hinders solvent extraction ofastaxanthin. In the present study, an improved method for extraction of astaxanthin withouthomogenization of cells is reported. Extractability of astaxanthin from cyst cells was evaluated bytreating cells with various solvents and pretreating the cells with organic and mineral acids at 70 °Cfollowed by acetone extraction. Hydrochloric acid treatment facilitated 86−94% extractability ofastaxanthin. Treatment time, temperature, and concentration of the acid were found to be criticalfactors for maximum extractability. The treatment did not affect the astaxanthin ester profile and thetreated cells can be preserved until further use. Keywords: Haematococcus; astaxanthin; total carotenoid; extractability
|
