Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction parameters of chlorophyll from Chlorella vulgaris residue after lipid separation using response surface methodology

An investigation into ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was conducted for the extraction of chlorophyll from Chlorella vulgaris residue after lipid separation. The best possible combination of extraction parameters was obtained with the response surface methodology (RSM), at a three-variable, three-level experiment Box–Behnken design (BBD). The optimum extraction parameters were as follows: extraction temperature, 61.4 °C, extraction time, 78.7 min, ethanol volume, 79.4 %, at a fixed ultrasonic power of 200 W. Under the modified optimal conditions, the model predicted a total chlorophyll content of 30.1 mg/g. Verification of the optimization showed that chlorophyll extraction of 31.1 ± 1.56 mg/g was observed under the optimal conditions, which well matches with the predicted value. Under these conditions, two stage extraction could sufficiently reach the maximal chlorophyll yield (35.2 mg/g), and the extraction rate reached up to 88.9 %. The present paper provides a feasible technology route for comprehensive utilization of bioactive substances from Chlorella and microalgal biomass biorefinery.