Optimization of extraction and purification process of hyaluronic acid from fish eyeball

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 The goal of the present work is to optimize the different steps for obtaining highly purified hyaluronic acid (HA) from fish eyeball. The extraction and purification process of HA from vitreous humour of fish, among other biological materials, is based on the succession of: 1) a step of protein electrodeposition, previous or simultaneous with a diafiltration process in total recirculation, 2) a selective recovery in hydroalcoholic solution of impure sediments obtained by alcoholic exhaustive precipitation, 3) an alkaline treatment under hydroalcoholic solution and controlled conditions of alkalinity, temperature, proportion of ethanol and time that it precipitates HA and solubilizes proteins, and 4) HA recovery by alkaline suspension of the precipitate in hydroalcoholic phosphate monosodium that it dissolves HA, neutralizes the extract and leaves insoluble proteins in the sediment. Thus, HA with high purity (more than 99.5%), useful for clinical and cosmetic applications, are obtained by means of low-cost process using a waste material.