Abstract
With the aim of solubilizing R-phycoerythrin from Grateloupia turuturu, we tested the efficiency of two extraction solutions (distilled water and phosphate buffer) on fresh and freeze-dried seaweeds. Three different methods enabling a partial purification of this pigment were also tested: ammonium sulfate precipitation, separation in aqueous two-phase systems, and ultrafiltration. The best extraction and partial purification conditions for R-phycoerythrin were observed from freeze-dried algae after application of the precipitation procedure (80% ammonium sulfate). This latter protocol appears to be efficient for separating R-phycoerythrin without denaturation from most proteins and other components (such as sugars) that limit the purification of phycobiliproteins.
©2009 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
