@article {PEREIRA2025128510,
	title = {Sustainable processing of microalgae protein: Design of biphasic partitioning systems based on natural deep eutectic solvents for C-phycocyanin recovery from model aqueous solutions},
	journal = {Separation and Purification Technology},
	volume = {353},
	year = {2025},
	note = {n/a},
	pages = {128510},
	abstract = {<p>The development of sustainable protein sources is imperative for addressing the global challenge of food/feed security. Microalgae, which may be sustainably cultivated, are a promising source of proteins, gaining a progressive acceptance among consumers. The purpose of this work is to study the recovery of the protein C-phycocyanin from the microalga Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina), using a biphasic extraction system composed of sustainable solvents. The extraction system studied involves a feed phase, consisting of an aqueous salt solution and the target protein, and an extracting phase composed of a Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NADES) with affinity to the target protein. The performance of a specific NADES depends on the characteristics of the components of the NADES, in terms of its hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity balance, aiming the highest possible partitioning coefficient towards C-phycocyanin. It is also important to assure that the NADES phase selected presents a moderate viscosity and leads to a stable interface when in contact with the aqueous feed phase (i.e., presenting a measurable interfacial tension). In this work, after an extensive screening work of more than 71 combinations, the most overall performing combination is presented. This system shows a high partitioning coefficient of 29.4~{\textpm}~0.3 and an extraction yield of 99~\% for C-phycocyanin (C-PC), demonstrating that the salting-out effect of the phosphate buffer and the hydrophobic character of NADES play a key role in this protein partitioning and recovery.</p>
},
	keywords = {C-phycocyanin (C-PC), Extraction with biphasic systems, Microalgae biorefinery, natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES), Protein partitioning},
	issn = {1383-5866},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2024.128510},
	url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1383586624022494},
	author = {Bruno A. Pereira and Cristina T. Matos and Costa, Lu{\'\i}s and Lu{\'\i}sa M. Ferreira and Jo{\~a}o G. Crespo and Carla Brazinha}
}
