最近,由于人们越来越认识到合成产物的有害作用,β-胡萝卜素作为生物活性分子已经获得了极大的重要性。β-胡萝卜素是一种高价值的天然色素,由于其与几种疾病相关的抗氧化特性,在全球类胡萝卜素市场中需求量最大。迄今为止,盐藻是天然β-胡萝卜素的最重要生产者,并且是重要的工业努力的主题。然而,β-胡萝卜素的提取仍然具有挑战性,因为所有提出的技术都存在由于溶剂残留和低产率而导致产品污染或质量损失的风险。这项研究的目的是建立一个绿色,生态,以及从嗜盐藻杜氏盐藻中提取两种主要β-胡萝卜素异构体的创新工艺。基于分子建模,对接,和药物设计,我们构思并合成了两种嵌合肽(PP2,PP3),特异性靶向两种主要异构体:全反式或9-顺式β-胡萝卜素。本研究中使用的实验方案证明了这两种肽穿过细胞膜并与β-胡萝卜素异构体以高亲和力结合并将它们排除在外培养基同时保持活细胞完整性的能力和功效。有趣的是,测试的肽(PP2,PP3)表现出显着的β-胡萝卜素提取率58%和34%,分别,来自微藻细胞中β-胡萝卜素的总量。除了它的简单性,这个过程很快,独立于β-胡萝卜素的来源,和选择性。这些结果将使我们能够建立绿色,生态,并且从含有大量β-胡萝卜素的微藻中提取非常有利可图的过程。我们的创新方法对于工业规模的杜氏盐藻生物质的提取非常有希望。
Recently, β-carotene has gained tremendous importance as a bioactive molecule due to the growing awareness of the harmful effects of synthetic products. β-carotene is a high-value natural pigment that has the highest demand in the global carotenoid market owing to its proven antioxidant properties relevant for several diseases. To date, Dunaliella salina is the most important producer of natural β-carotene and is the subject of important industrial efforts. However, the extraction of β-carotene remains challenging since all the proposed techniques present a risk of product contamination or loss of quality due to solvent residuals and low yields. The purpose of this study was to set up a green, ecological, and innovative process of extraction of the two major β-carotene isomers from the halophilic microalgae Dunaliella salina. Based on molecular modeling, docking, and drug design, we conceived and synthesized two chimeric peptides (PP2, PP3) targeting specifically the two major isomers: all-trans or 9-cis β-carotene. The experimental protocol used in this study demonstrated the ability and the efficacy of those two peptides to cross the cell membrane and bind with high affinity to β-carotene isomers and exclude them toward the extracellular medium while preserving the integrity of living cells. Interestingly, the tested peptides (PP2, PP3) exhibit significant β-carotene extraction yields 58% and 34%, respectively, from the total of the β-carotene in microalgae cells. In addition to its simplicity, this process is fast, independent of the source of the β-carotene, and selective. These results would allow us to set up a green, ecological, and very profitable process of extraction from microalgae containing high amounts of β-carotene. Our innovative approach is highly promising for the extraction of Dunaliella salina biomass on an industrial scale.