Macroalgae Greem Biorefinery: Extraction optimization of bioactive compounds from Gracilaria birdiae (Rhodophyta) and Sargassum sp. (Phaeophyceae)

• Grant number: 25/10648-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo Mendes de Souza Mesquita
• Grantee: Paloma Ferreira Victor
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/16744-0 - Sustainable innovations: the biorefinery revolution via macroalgae valorization using renewable solvents towards a (green/blue) economy, AP.JP

Abstract

The project aims to explore the potential of eutectic and bio-based solvents for the sequential extraction of bioactive compounds from Gracilaria birdiae (Rhodophyta) and Sargassum sp. (Phaeophyceae), two macroalgae species, aligning with the principles of green chemistry and the circular bioeconomy to fully valorize these natural resources while reducing waste and energy consumption. Initially, hydrophobic compounds such as carotenoids, chlorophylls, and fatty acids will be extracted, followed by phenolic compounds and phycobiliproteins, and finally polysaccharides, using modern extraction techniques such as ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). Solvent formulations will be defined through computational modeling (COSMO-RS) and experimental screenings, while process variables will be optimized using the CCRD experimental design. The obtained extracts will be characterized by analytical methods, including UV-vis, HPLC-PDA-MS/MS, GC-FID, GC-MS, and FTIR, to identify and quantify the compounds, and purification strategies such as solid-phase extraction, liquid-liquid extraction with bio-based solvents, and ultrafiltration will also be explored to obtain high-purity compounds.