PRODUCTION AND OPTIMIZATION OF A CHLOROPHYL-FREE LEAF PROTEIN CONCENTRATE FROM ALFALFA (Medicago sativa) THROUGH AQUEOUS TWO-PHASE SYSTEM

 

P. Vázquez-Villegas, E. Acuña-González, L.A. Mejía-Manzano, M. Rito-Palomares, O. Aguilar

 

 

  • A chlorophyl-free leaf protein concentrate and powder was obtained from alfalfa.

  • An aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) process optimization was employed.

  • To select the factors that minimize the partition coefficient, a two level factorial design experiment was performed.

  • Steepest descent and central composite design (CCD) were used to optimize the ATPS.

  • More than 80% and 51% of total protein were obtained for extract and powder, respectively.