Mechanistic investigation of efficient cell disruption methods for lipid extraction from various macro and micro species of algae

Abstract

Increased rate of use of conventional fossil fuels have caused its depletion and polluted the environment. Biodiesel is a promising fuel for compression ignition engine application. In this work, macroalgae namely Enteromorpha flexuosa is evaluated for the suitability for biodiesel production. Since the lipid yield of Enteromorpha flexuosa is low, cell disruption techniques were used, and results were compared to microalgae namely Spirulina platensis and Nannochloropsis oceanica. The results were investigated using proximity analysis, ultimate analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and fatty acid analysis. Cell disruption of algae was achieved using two methods, i.e., bead milling and acid treatment. Acid treatment resulted in a slightly higher lipid recovery than bead milling. The result showed high degree disruption was achieved with a lipid recovery of 97.05 %, 136.36 % and 65 % with acid treatment and 82.35 %, 50 % and 30 % with bead milling for Spirulina platensis, Nannochloropsis oceanica and Enteromorpha flexuosa, respectively. The fatty acid profile also revealed that Enteromoha flexuosa is a good candidate for quality biodiesel production with high saturated to unsaturated fatty acid and low linolenic fatty acid concentration.