title: Extraction of natural red colorants from the fermented broth of Penicillium purpurogenum using aqueous two-phase polymer systems.
abstract: Safety concerns related to the increasing and widespread application of synthetic coloring agents have increased the demand for natural colorants. Fungi have been employed in the production of novel and safer colorants. In order to obtain the colorants from fermented broth, suitable extraction systems must be developed. Aqueous two-phase polymer systems (ATPPS) offer a favorable chemical environment and provide a promising alternative for extracting and solubilizing these molecules. The aim of this study was to investigate the partitioning of red colorants from the fermented broth of Penicillium purpurogenum using an ATPPS composed of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and sodium polyacrylate (NaPA). Red colorants partitioned preferentially to the top (PEG-rich phase). In systems composed of PEG 6,000 g/mol/NaPA 8,000 g/mol, optimum colorant partition coefficient (KC ) was obtained in the presence of NaCl 0.1 M (KC  = 10.30) while the PEG 10,000 g/mol/NaPA 8,000 g/mol system in the presence of Na2 SO4 0.5 M showed the highest KC (14.78). For both polymers, the mass balance (%MB) and yield in the PEG phase (%ηTOP ) were close to 100 and 79%, respectively. The protein selectivity in all conditions evaluated ranged from 2.0-3.0, which shows a suitable separation of the red colorants and proteins present in the fermented broth. The results suggest that the partitioning of the red colorants is dependent on both the PEG molecular size and salt type. Furthermore, the results obtained support the potential application of ATPPS as the first step of a purification process to recover colorants from fermented broth of microorganisms.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, Araraquara, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Valéria Carvalho
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Santos-Ebinuma
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of São Paulo, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes 580, B16, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: André Moreni
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of São Paulo, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes 580, B16, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adalberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pessoa
authors.affiliation: Culture Collection DPUA/UFAM. Federal University of Amazonas, Av. Gal. Rodrigo Octávio Jordão Ramos, 3000, 69077-000, Manaus, AM, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Francisca Simas
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D005285:Fermentation; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010407:Penicillium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D012492:Salts / Q000737:chemistry; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D011108:Polymers; D011506:Proteins; D012492:Salts; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012965:Sodium Chloride; C006903:carbopol 940
keywords: Penicillium purpurogenum; aqueous two-phase polymer systems; extraction; poly(ethylene glycol); red colorants; sodium polyacrylate