Biorefinery of microalgal soluble proteins by sequential processing and membrane filtration

• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.11.068
• Publication Date: 2016-11-18T11:50:09Z
• Authors: C. Safi; G. Olivieri; R.P. Campos; N. Engelen-Smit; W.J. Mulder; L.A.M. van den Broek; L. Sijtsma
• Keywords: Diafiltration; Ultrafiltration (renal); Concentration polarization; Filtration (mathematics); Homogenization; Cell disruption

A mild biorefinery process was investigated on the microalga Nannochloropsis gaditana, to obtain an enriched fraction of water soluble proteins free from chlorophyll. After harvesting, a 100g.L-1 solution cells first subjected cell disruption by either high-pressure homogenization (HPH) or enzymatic treatment (ENZ). HPH resulted in larger release (49%) aqueous phase compared Alcalase incubation (35%). In both cases, ultrafiltration/diafiltration (UF/DF) then performed supernatant obtained testing different membrane cut-off (1000kDa, 500kDa and 300kDa). optimising conditions, combination ENZ→UF/DF ended overall yield (24.8%) permeate HPH→UF/DF (17.4%). gel polarization model implemented assess maximum achievable concentration factor during ultrafiltration mass transfer coefficient related theoretical permeation flux rate.