Improvement of the Extraction Process for High Commercial Value Pigments from Desmodesmus sp. Microalgae

Considering the high interest and commercial value of pigments from microalgae, this study aimed to stablish the best lutein and β-carotene extraction method for Desmodesmus sp., a microalgae with high biomass production. The evaluation was done considering the best solvent or solvent mixture, number of extractions, pre-treatment of dry biomass with acetone, saponification in methanol and ethanol and stability evaluation of the obtained extract. Among achieved results, the best solvent extractor was a hexane:ethanol mixture in a 1:1 (v/v) proportion. In order to obtain maximum yield, the patt...