Extraction Methods Used to Separate Lipids from Microbes

Lipids accumulated inside microbial cells (such as fungi, bacteria, yeast, microalgae, and macroalgae) have to be extracted for production of biodiesel and/or oleochemicals via thermochemical or thermocatalytic processes. Extraction methods for separation as well as quantification of lipids from microbes require organic solvents (such as hexane, methanol, and tetrahydrofuran) and involve multiple unit operations/steps such as thermal treatment (supercritical CO₂ extraction), chemical treatment (acid or base, enzymes), mechanical operations (such as sonication and ball beating), liquid-solid separation, liquid-liquid extraction, and gravimetric or chromatographic analysis.