Glycerol-based NaDES as green solvents for ultrasound-assisted extraction of phycocyanin from Arthrospira platensis—RSM optimization and ANN modelling

Phycocyanin, a natural blue phycobiliprotein extracted from cyanobacteria, recently focused the interest of food industry as promising pigment and antioxidant. Eco-extraction phycocyanin via ultrasound using five glycerol-based NaDES was described here. Response surface methodology (RSM) artificial neural network (ANN) were adapted for generation predictive models to simulate optimize extraction. Input parameters extraction time (15–60 min), temperature (25–50 °C) water addition (20–60%). Two original NaDES, glycerol:glucose:betaine (4:1:1) glycerol:glucose:proline (4:1:1), displayed highest recovery, combined with high free radical scavenging activity. Additionally, stabilizing effect on highlighted after accelerated ageing. Optimized protocol developed here allowed then extraction, pre-formulation stabilization in one step, opening way sustainable formulation this bioactive industry.