Extraction of Phycobiliprotein from Microalgae Cultivated in a Novel Lab-Scale Raceway Pond using cost-effective Freeze and Thaw Approach

Abstract

Microalgae are gaining significant interest due to their intracellular components, including high- value phycobiliproteins (PBPs). PBPs are natural pigment-protein complexes with antioxidant and

anti-inflammatory properties, making them beneficial for the food, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and biotechnology industries. However, large-scale commercial exploitation remains hindered by the high cost associated with PBP extraction from microalgal biomass. While the freeze-thaw method has been reported as an effective extraction technique, further optimization is crucial for industrial viability. This study investigates the efficiency of the freeze-thaw method for PBP extraction from Nostoc sp. cultivated in a novel lab-scale raceway pond system. This research aims to evaluate the impact of this cultivation method on microalgal yield compared to conventional techniques. The findings will contribute to the development of cost-effective and sustainable strategies for large-scale PBP production from microalgae