Supercritical fluid extraction of astaxanthin-rich extracts from Haematococcus pluvialis: Economic assessment

Author(s)

Vardanega, Renata ; Cerezal-Mezquita, Pedro ; Veggi, Priscilla Carvalho

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Bioresource Technology; v. 361, p. 8-pg., 2022-07-29.

Abstract

The study evaluated the techno-economic feasibility of an industrial SFE plant to produce astaxanthin-rich ex-tracts in Chile based on previously published data. A kinetic study comparing two solvent flow rates (3.62 and 7.24 g/min) at a scale production of 2 x 10 L showed the FER period as the more economically feasible with a cost of manufacturing (COM) of US$ 656.31/kg at 7.24 g/min. The study also demonstrated that the extraction times used at a laboratory scale were not industrially feasible due to the flowrate limits of industrial pumps. After adjusting extraction time to real industrial conditions, the results demonstrated that a 5-fold scale increase (2 x 10 L to 2 x 50 L) decreased the COM by 30 % and the process was profitable at all production scales. Finally, the sensitivity study demonstrated that it is possible to reduce the selling price by 25 % at 2 x 50 L scale. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/07575-2 - Application of high pressure technology to obtain bioproducts: assembly of a multi-purpose equipment and development of processes for barbatimão
• Grantee: Priscilla Carvalho Veggi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants