Methods for extracting and encapsulating phycocyanin
AssigneeArizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
InventorsWillem Frederik Johan VERMAAS, Sunil TIWARI
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Abstract
Provided herein are methods for the isolation of phycocyanin from cells and purification. Phycocyanin is encapsulated and protected from exposure to water, enhancing the thermostability. The thermostability conferred by the encapsulation as described herein improves the use of phycocyanin in pigment compositions and food coloring as a replacement of synthetic blue dyes.
Claims27
A method of extracting phycocyanin, the method comprising:
- adding a salt of a divalent metal ion to a slurry comprising phycocyanin to a final concentration of the salt of about 0.25% w/v to about 1% w/v;
- homogenizing the slurry to form a homogenate;
- centrifuging the homogenate to form a pellet and a supernatant comprising phycocyanin;
- and
- isolating phycocyanin from the supernatant to form a phycocyanin extract.
4-7. (canceled)
A method of encapsulating phycocyanin, the method comprising:
- contacting a first liquid phase comprising phycocyanin and a polar solvent with an encapsulating agent comprising a lipid to form an encapsulation mixture, thereby the phycocyanin is encapsulated in the encapsulating agent,
- wherein the first liquid phase is essentially free of water.
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A pigment composition comprising phycocyanin encapsulated in an encapsulating agent, the encapsulating agent comprising a lipid.
38-42. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.