Different cell disruption methods for astaxanthin recovery by Phaffia rhodozyma

Abstract

Astaxanthin (3,3'-dihydroxy-b,b'-carotene-4,4'-dione) is carotenoid of high market value whose demand has 
increased in such fields as aquaculture, pharmaceutical supplements and natural coloring. Cell disruption is the 
first step for isolating intracellular materials and it depends on the cell wall permeability. In order to maximize 
the recovery of astaxanthin from Phaffia rhodozyma NRRL-Y17268, drying and freeze pretreatments were tested 
by different cell disruption methods: abrasion with celite, glass pearls in vortex agitator, ultrasonic waves, 
sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The method with Na2CO3 was not effective; 
meanwhile, the agitator with glass pearls, the abrasion with celite and the ultrasonic waves were found as 
promising for future studies. As a result, the DMSO in freeze-dried biomass with 4 process cycles and 
biomass/DMSO relation of 0.025 g/ml was found to be the most efficient for analytical determination, increasing 
about up to 25 times the astaxanthin recovery.