Phycocyanin Extraction From Frozen and Freeze-Dried Biomass of Pseudanabaena sp. by Using Mild Cell Disruption Methods

Abstract

Phycocyanin is a precious, natural, blue coloured pigment-protein complex that has commercial value and wide application in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical industries. In the present study, we performed various cell disruption methods (ultrasonication, homogenization, freeze/thaw and CaCl2 extraction) for phycocyanin extraction from different forms of biomass of a thermophilic Pseudanabaena sp. that has a high potential to produce high-quality phycocyanin. Using potassium phosphate buffer and ultrasonic bath method, we achieved the highest phycocyanin yield (345 mgPC.g-biomass) from freeze-dried biomass and we obtained increased yield as the duration of application increases. Phycocyanin yields were calculated as 345 mgPC.g-biomass, 255 mgPC.g-biomass and 220 mgPC.g-biomass for 5, 10 and 15 min, respectively. In this study, cell disruption methods have determined significantly more effective on freeze-dried biomass rather than frozen biomass. Phycocyanin content of freeze-dried biomass was analysed after six months of storage and dramatic decrement was observed in the phycocyanin content of the cells.