Table 1.
Advantages and disadvantages of different extraction methods.
| Extraction Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Hot water/alkali extraction | Optimal rheological properties and purity of the extracted hydrocolloids | Involves high temperatures and very long extraction time |
| Long extraction time and high temperature may affect extracted compounds’ functionalities | ||
| Use of hazardous chemical solvents | ||
| High cost of chemical solvents | ||
| Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) | Use of water instead of chemical solvents | High temperature can deteriorate thermolabile compounds |
| It provides locally heat raw materials, enhanced biomass digestion, reduced process time, solvent consumption, and costs | ||
| Extracted compounds possess good quality | ||
| It utilizes directly on fresh biomass from seaweed | ||
| Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) | Ability to achieve larger yield of extracts utilizing water | High noise levels involved (safety issues) |
| Ultrasound might bring to depolymerization of compounds | ||
| It increases extraction yield with lower extraction time | Due to the high cost of energy and equipment, UAE needs a large amount of capital to get started on an industrial scale | |
| Efficient, environmentally friendly, and low extraction processes. Low equipment expenses and maintenance, possibility to scale-up to industrial production, reduced number of process steps | UEA applications are still limited | |
| Extraction techniques used in food industry | ||
| Ability to obtain larger yield of extracts utilizing aqueous-based solvent | High-pressure involved (safety issue) | |
| Pressurized solvent extraction (PSE) | High-pressure power can bring depolymerization of compounds | |
| It has high extraction performance, less solvent usage, quick extraction time, and does not imply the use of hazardous solvents | These processes might degrade labile compounds due to high temperature and pressure | |
| Scarcity of application on seaweed extractions | ||
| Enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) | Ability to achieve larger yield of compounds utilizing water | Scarcity of application on seaweed extractions |
| It is inexpensive, highly efficient, possibility to scale up, avoid the use of any harmful chemicals or organic solvents and it has shorter extraction time | ||
| It preserves the structural integrity of the target compounds extracted that exert important bioactivities suitable for cosmetic, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries |