AVALIAÇÃO DA EXTRAÇÃO DE PIGMENTOS NATURAIS DA BIOMASSA REMANESCENTE DE UM SISTEMA ALGAL TURF SCRUBBER (ATS)

Abstract

Biomass contains potentially renewable resources; with the correct use, it is possible to generate value-added products, providing an environmental and economic profit. One of the main bioproduct class with great potential in this area are the natural pigments that have beneficial biological activities. In this context, the goal of this research focused on evaluating pigments present in the remaining biomass of an Algae Turf Scrubber (ATS) system installed in a local surface water reservoir. The analysis and identification of pigments were performed using thin-layer chromatography (CCD) and high efficiency with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Absorption spectroscopy in visible ultraviolet (UV-vis) and scanned fluorescence were also used to provide additional information on the extracts. From the analysis by HPLC-DAD and based on the comparison of the retention time and spectra found each chromatographic peak, it was possible to estimate the possible pigments in the biomass. As a result, the possible pigments identified were the chlorophyll a, epimer of chlorophyll a, pheophytin a1 and pheophytin a2, diadinochrome, violaxanthin, and two unknown carotenoids.