Spray-drying optimization for Dunaliella salina and Porphyridium cruentum biomass

Abstract

In this study, Dunaliella salina and Porphyridium cruentum biomass were encapsulated by using a spray-dryer (SD) and combined D-optimal method. The independent variables were SD inlet temperature (170–190 °C), maltodextrin (25–75%, w/w, in dm), and microalgae biomass (25–75%, w/w, in dm). Prior to spray drying, P. cruentum and D. salina were cultivated in a pilot scale tubular photobioreactor and than harvested using a conical plate centrifuge. Significant models were determined for the effects of independent variables on total carotenoids, chlorophyll-a, crude protein, moisture contents and encapsulation yield (EY), water activity, average particle size, wettability, hygroscopicity, L* and C* properties for both microalgae species (p < .05). Due to the low EY (11.1–33.1%), we recommend encapsulation and drying of P. cruentum biomass with alternative methods to SD. The extracellular, as well as the cell wall and storage polysaccharides released into the culture medium of these microalgae are possible reasons for the low EY.

Keywords:

• Microalgae
• Spray-drying
• Dunaliella salina
• Porphyridium cruentum

Authors’ contributions

Yasar Durmaz: Conceptualization, Microalgae culture, Writing—Original Draft. Nevzat Konar: Conceptualization, Writing—Original Draft. Basak Gurbuz: Methodology, Formal Analysis. Derya Genc Polat: Methodology, Formal Analysis. Behic Mert: Methodology, Formal Analysis.

Data availability

Authors are share or make available any data and materials supporting the results or analyses presented in this article.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this article.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Project No: TOVAG-219O328.