Extraction of Betanin Using Aqueous Two-Phase Systems

The extraction efficiency of betanin as a natural pigment with antioxidant features is significant. The main reason for studying the different aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) for betanin extraction is that the selection of an optimum process of separation is possible. In order to develop an efficient method for the extraction of betanin, ATPS composed of polymer and sodium sulfate was investigated. Sodium sulfate is a strong salting-out agent, which has an important effect on the processes of the extraction of biomolecules. The effect of parameters such as temperature, salt and polymer concentrations, and the molecular weight of the polymer was evaluated for the partitioning of betanin. The experimental results showed that the polymer concentrations in ATPS can significantly affect the partitioning of betanin between the top and bottom phases. The recovery percentage of betanin indicated that this system had the ability to improve the betanin recovery in the top phase.