Unveiling the potential of Pseudococcomyxa simplex: a stepwise extraction for cosmetic applications.

ABSTRACT: Microalgae are gaining attention as they are considered green fabrics able to synthesize many bioactive metabolites, with unique biological activities. However, their use at an industrial scale is still a challenge because of the high costs related to upstream and downstream processes. Here, a biorefinery approach was proposed, starting from the biomass of the green microalga Pseudococcomyxa simplex for the extraction of two classes of molecules with a potential use in the cosmetic industry. Carotenoids were extracted first by an ultrasound-assisted extraction, and then, from the residual biomass, lipids were obtained by a conventional extraction. The chemical characterization of the ethanol extract indicated lutein, a biosynthetic derivative of α-carotene, as the most abundant carotenoid.

SUBMITTER: Imbimbo P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11194203 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature