Comparison of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents as additives for the ultrasonic extraction of astaxanthin from marine plants

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid that is used widely in salmonid and crustacean aquaculture to provide the pink color characteristics of that species. Ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents have attracted considerable attention for their potential in green chemistry. In this study, ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents were used as additives for the extraction of astaxanthin. The optimal DES was synthesized from methyl triphenyl phosphonium bromide and 1,2-butanediol (1:4) mixed at 130 °C. The optimal conditions for the extraction of astaxanthin were 1 g solid sample, 40 mL acetone and 0.25 mg/mL of [EMIM][Br] or 0.25 mg/mL DES-19 as an additive with 65 W ultra-sonication at 90 min. Under the extraction conditions using 0.25 mg/mL of [EMIM][Br] or 0.25 mg/mL DES-19 additives, 47.30 μg/g or 73.49 μg/g astaxanthin, respectively, were extracted from Portunus trituberculatus waste.

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