Extraction and purification of lutein from Chlorella USTB-01

Based on the isolation and fermentational culture of a heterotrophic Chlorella USTB-01,the extraction of lutein and the saponification of lutein esters from Chlorella USTB-01 were investigated.It showed that the mixture of henxane-ethanol(V/V,6.7∶1.0) was an efficient solvent to extract lutein from the microalgal cells for 1 h at the ratio of 1∶50(g/mL) between solid and liquid,at room temperature.The optimal saponification parameters were that 20 wt% NaOH-water was used as saponification liquid at the ratio of 1∶40(g/mL) under 50℃ for 6 h.Under these conditions,most lutein esters were converted to free lutein.The content of free lutein could increase from 0.09% to 3.20% in Chlorella cells after the saponification and the purity of 80.6% lutein was obtained,which laid a very important foundation of study for the production of lutein from Chlorella USTB-01.