Effect of Extraction Method on the Properties of Carrageenan from Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) L.M.Liao Harvested from Gulf of Mannar in India

Abstract

 Carrageenophytes encompass a wide group of red seaweed species of Rhodophyta that have linear polysaccharide with sulfated galactans ‘Carrageenan’ as cell wall material. Carrageenan is a hydrocolloidal polysaccharide used extensively for commercial applications as gelling, stabilizing and thickening agent especially, in food and pharmaceutical industries. Nontoxic and ecofriendly characteristics of this hydrocolloidal polymer opens up new opportunities to explore its benefits in uprising arenas. Understanding the effect of extraction method on the resulting polysaccharide is important to achieve desired outcome in the final product. Systematic impact analysis and comparison of different extraction methods and its effects upon basic properties of the extracted polysaccharide is studied in this paper. Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) L.M.Liao samples needed for the study were collected from southwestern coast of India around Mandapam and Pamban regions in the Gulf of Mannar. Washed clean dry samples were used for carrageenan extraction process.   Extraction Yield Percentage, Moisture, Color Characteristics, Solubility and Functional group characterization by FTIR-ATR spectroscopy were carried out for Carrageenan obtained by extraction methods CA1, CA2 and CA3 respectively. The results of characterization indicate CA2 and CA3 as suitable extraction methods based on extraction yield and spectral properties. This study paves way for quality polysaccharides to be extracted in bulk processing considering the final application properties in existing and uprising sectors.