Development of technology to extract beta-carotene natural colors from Azolla (Azolla filiculoides)

The present project was aimed at determining the content, quality, and purity of β-carotene extracted from Azolla filiculoides in the Anzali Wetland, comparing it with synthetic β-carotene, and measuring its economic value. One treatment had β-carotene derived from Azolla filiculoides in the Anzali Wetland through the alkaline hydrolysis method in the summer of 2014. Treatments were kept at 4°C for one year. Synthetic β-carotene was used as the control. The quality of the treatments was assessed by applying some chemical tests, including the measurement of the content and quality of β-carotene, colorimetry using the Hunter-LAB method, determination of the purity and vitamin A employing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), estimation of the dwell-time duration at 5°C, and measurement of the solubility of β-carotene in water. Beta carotene of Azolla in the spring extracted to alkaline hydrolysis was11853 mg/kg, in summer was 9935mg/kg, in autumn was 11256 mg/kg and in winter was 11245 mg /kg. Beta carotene of Azolla in the spring extracted to organic solvent was 8347 mg/kg, in summer was 6648 mg/kg, in autumn was 7543 mg/kg and in winter was 7539 mg/kg. The amount of beta-carotene is extracted using organic solvents and alkaline hydrolysis in the summer compared to other seasons showed a significant reduction (P<0.05). The amount of beta-carotene in the spring were significantly increased compared to the other seasons (P<0.05). This factor (organic solvent and alkaline hydrolysis) in autumn and winter showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The extracted amounts of beta-carotene in organic solvents compared to alkaline hydrolysis method in seasons spring, summer, autumn and winter was difference significant (P<0.05). The results of tests included determining the purity, concentration, colorimetry, compounds soluble vitamins and beta-carotene in organic solvents compared to alkaline hydrolysis significant reduction (P<0.05). During the shelf life of one year at 5°C, these factors had no significant difference between treatments alkaline hydrolysis and organic solvents (P>0.05). According to the harvesting Azolla of wetland is not requires special equipment and in terms of time a lot of Azolla can be harvested in a short time and also for the extraction of beta-carotene from Azolla Anzali Lagoon is not requires special equipment, too, have no economic value of raw material, does not require special conditions for growing, doubling in three days, Azolla is rich in beta-carotene, beta-carotene extraction of large quantities of small amounts of starting material, the cost of chemical materials, labor, fuel, Laboratory equipment required and the cost of importing small packages beta-carotene, beta-carotene into the country in terms of economic cost compared to the cost of imported Sigma beta carotene is economical. As shown in Table 5 in the samples prepared by alkaline hydrolysis in comparison with synthetic chemical manufactured by Sigma in terms of colorimetric tests, purity, composition and solubility of vitamins significant difference was not observed (P>0.05). But, in samples prepared by organic solvents in comparison with synthetic chemical manufactured by Sigma in terms of colorimetric tests, purity, composition and solubility of vitamins significant difference was observed (P<0.05). According to significant differences between the amount of betacarotene extracted from Azoula wetland compared to other seasons in spring and autumn and winter plant growth in spring Azoula alkaline hydrolysis method for the extraction of beta-carotene wetland and wetland Azolla is recommended.