Abstract
ABSTRACTIon‐exchange resins have the ability to convert microalgae‐derived lipids into esters and other recoverable organics. The presented research evaluated the use of mixed bed ion‐exchange resins for in situ processing of Nannochloropsis oculata algal biomass to recoverable organics within a co‐solvent system. The impact of various processing conditions (resin loading, resin type, biomass drying, solvent type, solvent volume, and biomass sonication) on the reaction yield of recoverable organics was investigated. Multiple analytical chemical approaches were used to characterize lipids within the biomass and to identify the converted reaction products. Each reaction system studied produced more than 20 recoverable organics in addition to the normally desired ester products. Phytol was observed as predominant reaction product in each system. The highest ester yield (approaching 60% biomass lipid to ester conversion) was observed with air‐dried algae processed at 50 °C at a mixing rate of 550 rpm for 2 h. © 2014 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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