Characterization of Refined Carrageenan from Kappaphycus striatum Extracted Using Commercial Cellulase Enzymes

Abstract

Commercial carrageenan has been produced by the alkaline method; this certainly harms the environment. Carrageenan extraction using cellulase enzymes has been used as an alternative to obtaining more environmentally friendly carrageenan. Cellulase enzymes break down cellulose in seaweed cell walls and are thought to accelerate the desulfurization process. This research aimed to extract carrageenan using commercial cellulase enzymes and determine the effect of cellulase enzyme concentration on carrageenan quality. The materials used in this research were commercial cellulase enzymes from Novozyme and dried seaweed Kappaphycus striatum. The carrageenan extraction process was carried out in the shaker water bath. Furthermore, the extraction process was conducted with a constant ratio of seaweed weight to distilled water volume (40:1000 g/ml) and added to six different concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5%) of cellulase enzyme at 60oC for an hour. The mixture is made into a slurry using a blender and heated at 90oC for two hours. After 2 hours, 90oC hot water was added with a ratio of 1:1 and then centrifuged for 15 minutes. The extract precipitated potassium chloride at 6.25%, which increased the speed of carrageenan formation. They were dried in an oven at 50oC for 16 hours. The results of carrageenan extraction with cellulase enzymes produced carrageenan characteristics with high yields but had lower viscosity values, gel strength, and sulfate content. According to the quality standard requirement proposed by FAO, some parameters, such as gel strength, sulfate content, and insoluble acid ash, still do not conform to FAO standards.