Supercritical fluid extraction of chlorophylls and carotenoids from White Sea algae

The supercritical fluid extraction of chlorophylls and carotenoids from marine algae Fucus vesiculosus and Laminaria digitata with carbon dioxide was studied. Complete extraction of carotenoids with carbon dioxide was achieved at a pressure of 250 atm and a temperature of 80°C after 20 min in the absence of a cosolvent. Extraction of chlorophylls in high contents required the use of a polar co-solvent (ethanol, 10–15 vol %) or extraction time increased to 50–90 min (at a co-solvent consumption of <5 vol %). The proposed method is more express compared with extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus.