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Journal of Tropical Oceanography

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Studies on comprehensive utilization technology of seawater Spirulina biomass

XU Bingqi1, 2, 3, XIANG Wenzhou1, WU Houbo1, ZHAO Yanfei2, QIN Haipeng2, WEI Liang1,3, GENG Yaqi1,3, WU Hualian1, XU Jin4, LI Tao1*   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Materia Medica, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China;

    2. Agro-Tech Extension Center of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510520, China;

    3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China;

    4 Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New and Renewable Energy Research and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy, Guangzhou 510640, China

  • Received:2025-05-12 Revised:2025-06-07 Accepted:2025-06-16
  • Supported by:

    Key R&D Program of Nansha District (2023ZD01); Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (2022A1515140025; 2023A1515012391); Research on breeding technology of candidate species for Guangdong modern marine ranching (2024-MRB-00-001)

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Abstract: As an important economic microalga, the efficient extraction and comprehensive utilization of bioactive compounds from Spirulina are crucial for enhancing its value. This study investigated the effects of different extraction sequences on the extraction efficiency, characteristics and economic benefits of phycobiliproteins, lipids, and polysaccharides from Spirulina. Six sequential extraction protocols were designed by integrating low-temperature stirring extraction (protein), 95% ethanol extraction (lipid) and hot water extraction (oolysaccharide), including 1) Protein-Lipid-Polysaccharide (PLS); 2) Protein-Polysaccharide-Lipid (PSL); 3) Polysaccharide-Protein-Lipid (SPL); 4) Polysaccharide-Lipid-Protein (SLP); 5) Lipid-Protein-Polysaccharide (LPS); and 6) Lipid-Polysaccharide-Protein (LSP). The extraction efficiency and characteristics of bioactive compounds were evaluated by using UV-Vis absorption spectra, three-dimensional fluorescence spectra, infrared spectra and fatty acid composition and monosaccharide composition. The results showed that phycobiliproteins should be extracted preferentially (yield: 68.29% in PLS, 66.77% in PSL), while heating or ethanol pretreatment induced its denaturation (yield<8%). Lipid extraction efficiency varied significantly with extraction sequence (94.07% in LSP vs. 66.76% in PSL), while the fatty acid composition remained stable. Polysaccharide extraction efficiency declined markedly after protein or lipid extraction (71.80% in SPL, 39.90% in LSP and 19.57% in PSL), yet their structural integrity was preserved. Residual biomass analysis revealed the highest protein content in LPS-treated microalgal residue (71.4% DW). Sequential extraction enabled the recovery of phycobiliproteins, lipids and polysaccharides, but the extraction order critically influenced both yields and physicochemical properties. The PLS sequence achieved the maximum economic value (162RMB/kg), tripling the value of raw Spirulina powder (40RMB/kg). This study provides theoretical and technical foundations for the full-component valorization of Spirulina biomass.

Key words: Spirulina, sequential extraction, phycobiliproteins, lipids, polysaccharides