Short communicationA novel method for the extraction of prodigiosin from bacterial fermenter integrated with sequential batch extraction reactor using magnetic iron oxide

•The manuscript focused on the preparation of robust [Fe3O4]F for the extraction of prodigiosin from fermented medium.•A novel reactor fabrication and processing step was evaluated for the extraction of prodigiosin.•About 95% of solvent usage was reduced in the proposed method.•SBER was effectively extracting the prodigiosin from the continuous fermentation unit.

A novel method for the extraction of prodigiosin from bacterial fermentation was achieved using an integrated sequential batch extraction reactor (SBER) containing functionalized iron oxides ([Fe3O4]F). The [Fe3O4]F was prepared using diethanolamine to impart quaternary amine group onto Fe3O4. The quaternary amine group imparted to Fe3O4 enhanced the prodigiosin adsorption efficiency. Two SBER were integrated with the continuous fermenter for the continuous extraction of prodigiosin. The present investigation established a method to conserve solvent by about 95% during the prodigiosin extraction step. The proposed extraction method can be regarded as solvent free direct extraction of bacterial bioactive compounds from bacterial fermented medium.

Graphical abstractDownload high-res image (213KB)Download full-size imageSchematic diagram of prodigiosin extraction using [Fe3O4]F from fermented medium.