Green extraction of microalgae components for incorporation in food and feed supplements

Microalgae have been long recognized as potential food and feed solution, since they are able to meet the population growth on demand for a more sustainable food and feed, especially with respect to protein production. In addition, bioactive components, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), with well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, can be extracted and incorporated in food supplements. Microalgae cultivation and processing becomes even more sustainable if simultaneously coupled to green technologies for the environmental protection. One of the most promising techniques is the supercritical fluid extraction which allows to extract bioactive compounds without loss of their activity and free from extraction solvents. In this work, a pilot scale supercritical CO (ScCO2) extraction plant was exploited for performing the extraction of active components from microalgae biomass potentially usable in the food and the feed sectors. Nannochloropsis gaditana microalga was selected as natural producer of EPA. The extract obtained after ScCO tests was enriched of EPA and protein, therefore suitable for food applications. The exhausted biomass, having a high content of carbohydrates and total dietary fiber, might be proposed as feed supplement.