Abstract: The fragmentation of spirulina cells by a high-pressure homogenizer was investigated for the extraction of proteins in spirulina cells. A systematic study was carried out on the influence of physical and chemical factors including homogenizer passes, operating pressure and suspension system during homogenization processes. Under the optimal conditions: 80 MPa, pH6.8 10 mmol/L phosphate buffer suspending system, 3 times passing through the homogenizer, the spirulina cells fragmentation efficiency could reach 86%, and the total protein content released by spirulina cells was 73%. Meanwhile, kinetic studies of this disruption process had been made, a kinetic model was used and kinetic parameters were obtained under different conditions.

Key words: spirulina, high pressure homogenizer, cell fragmentation, total protein content