Pulsed Electric Field–Assisted Cell Permeabilization of Microalgae (Haematococcus pluvialis) for Milking of Value-Added Compounds

Among many existing microalgae, Haematococcus pluvialis has been known as the potential source of natural astaxanthin which have remarkable antioxidant properties and wide applications in pharmaceutical, aquaculture, therapeutic, and nutraceutical sectors. However, the high cost of extracting this pigment makes the cost of astaxanthin very high. Latest research has shown that pulsed electric field (PEF) is simple yet sensitive technique to permeabilize the thick cell wall of H. pluvialis and extract the pigment. Although there exists plenty of conventional techniques for large scale extraction of value-added compounds from microalgae, none of them can be applied successfully. In PEF controlling and optimizing the parameters makes this technique facile to get the desired products accounting to little loss in cell viability. The review provides a close view on the astaxanthin accumulation under stress conditions in microalgae. It also documents biocompatible electric treatment for cell permeabilization, the capacity of microalgae to survive and regenerate the pool of extracted compounds. This communication attempts to review the challenges and perspectives of research in this field of work. 

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