Maximizing Lipid Extraction from Chlorella pyrenoidosa: A Study on the Effectiveness of Cell Disruption Techniques

Abstract

Microalgae are one of the most eco-friendly and promising raw material sources for the production of biofuel. Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acid are the major components of algal biomass depending upon the species. The present study aimed to determine the lipid extraction and transesterification from Chlorella pyrenoidosa microalgae. Different methods and solvents are used for the disruption of the cell-wall and extraction of lipid content. The methodology involved ultrasonication, microwave digestion, Soxhlet extraction and autoclave while using different solvents as methanol, chloroform, hexane, dichloromethane and heptane. We compared various cell disruption methods to improve lipid extraction yields and the highest lipid extraction yields were obtained using Soxhlet method with hexane. The obtained lipid converted into fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) through transesterification process. The identification of fatty acid was compared by retention time and individual pattern of use from caprylic acid (C8:0) to lignoceric acid (C24:0) in form of methyl ester. The Soxhlet method using methanol and chloroform and FAME analysis showed a highest percentage of palmitic acid (C16:0) and lowest percentage of myristic acid (C14:1).