Determination Of Chlorophyll Content of Sea Grapes (Caulerpa Racemosa) in Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (Nades) Extract From Glucose and Glycerol

The aim of this research was to determine the chlorophyll content in the extract of Caulerpa racemosa using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NADES) made from glucose and glycerol in various molar ratios. C. racemosa, a green alga known for its high chlorophyll content, was harvested from Jepara, Central Java, Indonesia. The algae samples were divided into four parts: rhizoid, stolon, ramuli, and a mixture of the three. Extraction was conducted using NADES at glucose molar ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3, with
40% water added. NADES was prepared by heating at 65°C with a stirring speed of 200 rpm until a homogeneous liquid formed. The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll content in the extract were analyzed using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at wavelengths of 649 nm and 667 nm. It was found that NADES with a glucose molar ratio of 1:2 was the most effective, yielding the highest chlorophyll content in the ramuli part at 13.571 mg/L. Meanwhile, extraction with NADES glucose (1:3) in the rhizoid part resulted in the lowest chlorophyll content at 0.566 mg/L. Significant differences in chlorophyll content based on the molar ratio of NADES and the thallus part extracted were indicated by statistical analysis using ANOVA. The potential of NADES as an environmentally friendly and effective solvent for chlorophyll extraction from C. racemosa was confirmed by this research. New opportunities for the application of NADES in the development of sustainable pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, with non-toxic and environmentally friendly extracts, were opened by these findings.

Keywords: C. Racemosa, Chlorophyll Extraction, Green Solvents, NADES, Sustainable Extraction