374
M. C. Deprá et al.
The first and most important application of phycocyanin is as a blue pigment in
food and cosmetics, replacing current synthetic pigments (DIC 2019). The phycocyanin was also shown to have therapeutic value, with immunomodulating activity
and anticancer activity (Wu et al. 2016). Owing to its fluorescence properties it has
gained importance in the development of phycofluor probes for immunodiagnostics
(Raja et al. 2016). The price of phycocyanin products depends on the purity ratio,
which is defined as the relationship between the absorbance of phycocyanin and
protein (A 620 /A 280 ). The price of food grade phycocyanin (purity > 0.7) is approximately US$ 500/kg, whereas the price of the analytical grade (purity ≥ 4.0) can
reach US$ 15/mg (Insights 2019).
Arthrospira platensis is cultured in raceway ponds, especially in tropical and
subtropical regions, once that your productivity strongly depends on optimal light
conditions (Fig. 15.7c). Notably, in open systems, biomass levels reach low levels
of dry biomass (0.05 g L
−1 day
−1 ) and phycocyanin (0.003 g L
−1 day
−1 ). In addition, such culture systems favor external contamination. Conversely, productivity
can be improved through the use of closed systems such as photobioreactors. Studies
have shown that, in tubular photobioreactors, the microalgae Arthrospira platensis
presented values of dry biomass and phycocyanin of 1.32 g L
−1 day
−1 and phycocyanin 0.092 g L
−1 day
−1 , respectively. However, the scale-up of operation in
photobioreactors have not yet been implemented due to its cost-uncompetitiveness
(Kannaujiya et al. 2017).
15.7 Life Cycle Assessment of Commercial Pigments
Recent developments and innovations in the current state of the art of pigment production boost the large corporations and consumers, for the search for more efficient
alternative systems in front of the environmental footprints. In addressing the environmental sustainability of a process, specific indicators are of interest. In this sense,
the establishment of sustainability metrics capable of guiding and motivating actions
toward sustainable development is necessary.
A solution to establish sustainability in microalgae-based pigment production is a
life cycle assessment. Life cycle assessment (LCA), in definition, is a mathematical
tool that allows the quantification of the inputs and outputs of systems, evaluating
their environmental performance through a series of impact categories. Besides, this
methodology provides a consistent data structure, in order to assist administration
agencies and companies for strategic planning, product improvement, and marketing,
with an environmental focus.
Nowadays, after 25 years coming, its popularization has expanded worldwide.
Ever since, its application to manufacturing strategies for sustainable products has
demonstrated high success among the companies.
Structurally, the principles of application of the LCA are directed by the International Standardization Organization (ISO) 14040. This normative establishes four
stages, known as the definition of objectives and scope, the development of life cycle
M. C. Deprá et al.
The first and most important application of phycocyanin is as a blue pigment in
food and cosmetics, replacing current synthetic pigments (DIC 2019). The phycocyanin was also shown to have therapeutic value, with immunomodulating activity
and anticancer activity (Wu et al. 2016). Owing to its fluorescence properties it has
gained importance in the development of phycofluor probes for immunodiagnostics
(Raja et al. 2016). The price of phycocyanin products depends on the purity ratio,
which is defined as the relationship between the absorbance of phycocyanin and
protein (A 620 /A 280 ). The price of food grade phycocyanin (purity > 0.7) is approximately US$ 500/kg, whereas the price of the analytical grade (purity ≥ 4.0) can
reach US$ 15/mg (Insights 2019).
Arthrospira platensis is cultured in raceway ponds, especially in tropical and
subtropical regions, once that your productivity strongly depends on optimal light
conditions (Fig. 15.7c). Notably, in open systems, biomass levels reach low levels
of dry biomass (0.05 g L
−1 day
−1 ) and phycocyanin (0.003 g L
−1 day
−1 ). In addition, such culture systems favor external contamination. Conversely, productivity
can be improved through the use of closed systems such as photobioreactors. Studies
have shown that, in tubular photobioreactors, the microalgae Arthrospira platensis
presented values of dry biomass and phycocyanin of 1.32 g L
−1 day
−1 and phycocyanin 0.092 g L
−1 day
−1 , respectively. However, the scale-up of operation in
photobioreactors have not yet been implemented due to its cost-uncompetitiveness
(Kannaujiya et al. 2017).
15.7 Life Cycle Assessment of Commercial Pigments
Recent developments and innovations in the current state of the art of pigment production boost the large corporations and consumers, for the search for more efficient
alternative systems in front of the environmental footprints. In addressing the environmental sustainability of a process, specific indicators are of interest. In this sense,
the establishment of sustainability metrics capable of guiding and motivating actions
toward sustainable development is necessary.
A solution to establish sustainability in microalgae-based pigment production is a
life cycle assessment. Life cycle assessment (LCA), in definition, is a mathematical
tool that allows the quantification of the inputs and outputs of systems, evaluating
their environmental performance through a series of impact categories. Besides, this
methodology provides a consistent data structure, in order to assist administration
agencies and companies for strategic planning, product improvement, and marketing,
with an environmental focus.
Nowadays, after 25 years coming, its popularization has expanded worldwide.
Ever since, its application to manufacturing strategies for sustainable products has
demonstrated high success among the companies.
Structurally, the principles of application of the LCA are directed by the International Standardization Organization (ISO) 14040. This normative establishes four
stages, known as the definition of objectives and scope, the development of life cycle