Agar extraction from integrated multitrophic aquacultured Gracilaria vermiculophylla: Evaluation of a microwave-assisted process using response surface methodology

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

A.M.M. Sousa (Author) FEUP; V. D. Alves (Author) FEUP; S. Morais (Author) FEUP; C. Delerue-Matos (Author) FEUP; M. P. Gonçalves (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Bioresource Technology

Vol. 101

Pages: 3258-3267

ISSN: 0960-8524

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 61 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 79 Citations

COMPENDEX

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Other engineering and technologies

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-6W4

DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2009.12.061

Abstract (EN): Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of agar from Gracilaria vermiculophylla, produced in an integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) system, from Ria de Aveiro (northwestern Portugal), was tested and optimized using response surface methodology. The influence of the MAE operational parameters (extraction time, temperature, solvent volume and stirring speed) on the physical and chemical properties of agar (yield, gel strength, gelling and melting temperatures, as well as, sulphate and 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose contents) was evaluated in a 2(4) orthogonal composite design. The quality of the extracted agar compared favorably with the attained using traditional extraction (2 h at 85 degrees C) while reducing drastically extraction time, solvent consumption and waste disposal requirements. Agar MAE optimum results were: an yield of 14.4 +/- 0.4%, a gel strength of 1331 +/- 51 g/cm(2), 40.7 +/- 0.2 degrees C gelling temperature, 93.1 +/- 0.5 degrees C melting temperature, 1.73 +/- 0.13% sulfate content and 39.4 +/- 0.3% 3,6-anhydro-L-galactose content. Furthermore, this study suggests the feasibility of the exploitation of G. vermiculophylla grew in IMTA systems for agar production.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10