Extração do alginato da alga Sargassum elegans, proveniente da Praia das Tartarugas, Inhaca, Cidade de Maputo

Abstract

Sodium alginate is a linear, viscous and highly hygroscopic copolymer that is proof of brow seaweed and used in food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, aquaculture, and textile industries. For efficient extraction of sodium alginate process optimization is required. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate different parameters of algal extraction from the probable Sargassum elegans algal from Inhaca beach. The variables evaluated for alginate extraction were temperature (60oC, 80oC and 100oC) and extraction time (70min, 90min and 110min). Combinations were made between the two parameters to assess their influence on the final result and the result showed that the ideal extraction yield (20.47%) was reached with a temperature of 100oC and a time of 110 minutes. The observed parameters of extraction time show greater influence on yield and reduced temperature with little influence. High temperatures and longer extraction times are necessary to allow effective interactions between the base and alginates on algal cell wall, which leads to the possibility of extracting a higher alginate yield.