Enhanced Protein Extraction from Auxenochlorella protothecoides Through Synergistic Mechanical Cell Disruption and Alkaline Solubilization

Microalgae proteins are increasingly recognized in the food and nutraceutical industries for their functional versatility and high nutritional value. Mild alkaline treatment is com- monly used for cell wall degradation and intracellular protein solubilization, consequently enhancing the protein extraction yield. The findings of this study reveal that alkaline treat- ment alone, even at higher NaOH concentration (up to 0.3 M) and treatment time (up to 90 min), was ineffective (max. 2.4% yield)...