Effect of Extraction Methods on the Characteristics of Agar from Gelidiella acerosa (Forssk.) Feldm harvested from Gulf of Mannar in India

Abstract

Abstract:

            Agar is a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from red macroalgae of the species Rhodophyta.  These polysaccharides are extensively used in food and pharmaceutical industrial applications. Further application potentials of this hydrocolloid polymer in the packaging industry due to its nontoxic and ecofriendly characteristics open up new opportunities to explore the benefits of these versatile products in uprising arenas. Comparison and systematic impact analysis of different extraction methods and their effects on basic properties of the extracted polysaccharides needs to be studied. Gelidiella acerosa (Forssk.) Feldm samples were collected from Mandapam and Pamban regions in the Gulf of Mannar on the southwestern coast of India. Cleaned, dried and powdered samples were used for polysaccharide extraction.   Extraction yield, moisture, optical characteristics, solubility and structural characterization by FTIR-ATR were carried out for agar obtained by different extraction methods AE1, AE2 and AE3 respectively. The variation in the characteristics and properties of polysaccharides obtained by standard methods of extraction identifies AE2 as the best method based on extraction yield and spectral properties. This study paves the way for quality polysaccharides to be extracted for bulk processing considering the final application properties in existing and uprising sectors.