Quantification of Lipid Content in Oleaginous Biomass Using Thermogravimetry

Laboratory analytical techniques employed for triglyceride quantification in oleaginous biomass (e.g., microalgae and oilseeds) involve multiple steps and typically require use of volatile organic solvents. Here we describe a single-step approach for measurement of triglycerides using thermogravimetry (TG). We have observed that triglycerides undergo complete volatilization over a narrow temperature interval of 370-450 °C, with negligible solid residue under inert atmosphere, whereas other constituents of oleaginous biomass (such as proteins and carbohydrates) primarily degrade below 350 °C. As a result, triglyceride content of biomass can be estimated using TG by determining the mass loss of the sample in the temperature interval of 370-450 °C.