Processing of permeabilized Chlorella vulgaris biomass into lutein and protein-rich products

Chlorella vulgaris is rich in lutein, a high-value pigment known for its antioxidant properties. In this work, the effect of pulsed electric field (PEF) on enhancing the selective pigment extraction from fresh C. vulgaris was tested. PEF treatment enhanced the lutein (2.2 ± 0.1-fold) and chlorophyll yields (5.2 ± 3.4-fold) compared to non-treated cells when using a single-stage ethanol extraction process. A process simulation model was used to assess the viability of the pigment extraction process. The cost estimates showed that the PEF treatment reduced the processing costs and enhanced the economic feasibility of the process. The extraction of algal protein from lutein-depleted biomass was also simulated to determine the benefit of using low-cost microalgae meal for production of proteins concentrates. The cost estimates revealed that unless extraction yield and protein content of the concentrate were improved, the estimated protein cost (US$4.16 kg −1 ) would not be competitive to existing similar products from soybeans and peas.