Sains Malaysiana 44(12)(2015): 1739–1744

Optimization of a Continuous Preparation Method of Arthrospira platensis γ-linolenic Acid by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Technology using Response Surface Methodology

(Pengoptimuman Kaedah Penyediaan Berterusan Arthrospira platensis γ Asid Linolenik oleh Teknologi Supergenting Karbon Dioksida yang menggunakan Kaedah Gerak Balas Permukaan)

YAO-CHING HSUEH^1,2, BE-JEN WANG¹, ZER-RAN YU³, CHENG-CHI WANG⁴ & MALCOLM KOO*⁵

¹Department of Food Science, National Chiayi University, Chiayi 60004, Taiwan, ROC

²Biotechnology Research Center, Far East University, Tainan 74448, Taiwan, ROC

³Superwell Biotechnology Corporation, Taichung 40876, Taiwan, ROC

⁴Graduate Institute of Precision Manufacturing, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 41170, Taiwan, ROC

⁵Department of Medical Research, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Chiayi 62247, Taiwan, ROC

Received: 25 August 2014/Accepted: 23 June 2015

ABSTRACT

γ-linolenic acid is an essential omega-6 unsaturated fatty acid made in the human body from linoleic acid. It can be metabolized to various important eicosanoids and it is also a precursor of prostaglandin E and several other active substances that are associated with anti-inflammatory properties. Arthrospira platensis is known to contain relatively large quantities of γ-linolenic acid. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal parameters under a continuous preparation method of γ-linolenic acid from A. platensis using supercritical carbon dioxide technology. A Box-Behnken experimental design and response surface methodology were used to optimize combinations among pressure (10, 20 and 30 MPa), temperature (40, 50 and 60°C) and flow rate of A. platensis extract liquor (1, 2 and 3 mL/min) for yield of γ-linolenic acid. The results showed that the extraction of γ-linolenic acid from A. platensis was optimized at a temperature of 60°C, a pressure of 30 MPa and a flow rate of 3 mL/min. These parameters could be used as a basis for facilitating future scale-up industrial applications.

Keywords: Arthrospira platensis; Spirulina platensis; supercritical carbon dioxide fractionation; γ-linolenic acid

ABSTRAK

Asid linolenik γ adalah asid lemak tak tepu penting omega-6 yang dihasilkan dalam tubuh manusia daripada asid linolik. Ia boleh dimetabolismakan untuk pelbagai eicosanoid penting dan ia juga merupakan pelopor prostaglandin E dan beberapa bahan aktif lain yang berkaitan dengan sifat anti-radang. Arthrospira platensis diketahui mengandungi kuantiti asid Linolenik γ yang agak besar. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji parameter optimum dengan kaedah penyediaan berterusan asid Linolenik γ daripada A. platensis menggunakan teknologi supergenting karbon dioksida. Satu reka bentuk eksperimen Box-Behnken dan kaedah gerak balas permukaan digunakan untuk mengoptimumkan gabungan antara tekanan (10, 20 dan 30 MPa), suhu (40, 50 dan 60°C) serta kadar aliran cecair ekstrak A. platensis (1, 2 dan 3 mL/min) untuk hasil asid Linolenik γ. Keputusan menunjukkan pengekstrakan asid linolenik γ daripada A. platensis dioptimumkan pada suhu 60°C, tekanan pada 30 MPa dan kadar aliran 3 mL/min. Parameter ini boleh digunakan sebagai asas bagi tujuan memberi kemudahan kepada aplikasi industri pada masa hadapan.

Kata kunci: Arthrospira platensis; Asid linolenik γ; pemeringkatan supergenting karbon dioksida; Spirulina platensis

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*Corresponding author; email: m.koo@utoronto.ca