Extraction of phycocyanin from Arthrospira platensis with different solvents and methods

In this study, phycocyanin pigment extraction from Arthrospira platensis microalgae was carried out using various solvents (distilled water, phosphate buffered saline) and methods (sonication, microwave and freezing & thawing) for comparison and determine the best solvent and method in order to achieve higher extraction yield. Rate of 0.1 g A. platensis powder in 10 cc of solvent (distilled water and phosphate buffered saline) was similar in each three extraction method whereas the conditions of extraction methods sonication, microwave and freezing & thawing as follows, respectively: 50% amplitude and 15 min, 100 W and 3 min, frozen at -20 ± 2 °C for 24 h and thawing at room temperature. The analysis of variance was obtained for data mean ± SD (standard deviation) using SPSS in confidence level of (P < 0.05). Most extraction yield was obtained by phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and method Freezing & Thawing (pc= 146/3 ± 1/55 mg/g) and least by distilled water and method Microwave (pc= 94/4 ± 2/68 mg/g).