Comparison of Lipid Extraction from Algae (Chlorella Species) using Wet Lipid Extraction Procedure and Bligh and Dry Method

Abstract

Microalgae are consider as fourth generation biofuel for liquid fuels. But it is very tedious task to dry microalgae followed by lipid extraction and final processing for renewable fuel production. There are several economic and processing hurdles for methods including conversion of microalgae biomass to renewable fuel. Research conducted in this study modified/optimized a previously published procedure capable of extracting Tran’s-esterifiable lipids using wet and dry algal biomass. A wet lipid extraction procedure (WLEP) and Bligh and Dry methods were used for lipid extraction. From Wet lipid extraction method we are capable of extracting 25% of trans-esterifiable lipids from wet algal biomass (84% moisture) via acid (90°C, 60 minutes) and base hydrolysis (90°C, 30 minutes) and from Bligh and dry 20% of trans-esterifiable lipids from dry algal biomass. WLEP using wet algal biomass was found capable of removing chlorophyll contamination of the algal lipid extract through precipitation step in the procedure. The capability of the procedure to extract lipids from wet algal biomass, to reduce/remove chlorophyll contamination, to potentially reduce organic solvent demand, and to generate feedstock’s for highvalue bio products is highly responsible for reducing the cost of lipid extraction procedure.