Lipid Extraction and Cell Disruption Methods for Improving Biodiesel Production by Scenedesmus sp.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Renewable Energy
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Efficient lipid recovery from microalgae is crucial for sustainable biodiesel production.
• The robust cell wall of *Scenedesmus sp.* requires effective disruption methods for optimal lipid release.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate five cell disruption techniques (microwaves, ultrasonication, lyophilisation, autoclaving, electroporation) combined with three extraction methods (cold, Soxhlet, microwave-assisted).
• To assess the impact of these integrated processes on lipid yield and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles for biodiesel quality.

Main Methods:

• Investigated five cell disruption methods and three extraction procedures on *Scenedesmus sp.* biomass.
• Analyzed fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles using gas chromatography (GC) after transesterification.
• Utilized scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface analysis of disrupted microalgal cells.

Main Results:

• The highest total lipid yield (88.97%) was achieved using microwave disruption combined with Soxhlet extraction.
• The maximal proportion of methyl esters (97.64%) was obtained with ultrasonication and microwave-assisted extraction.
• Lyophilisation followed by microwave extraction enhanced oleic acid content.

Conclusions:

• The selection of cell disruption and extraction protocols significantly impacts microalgal lipid recovery and fatty acid composition.
• Optimized process integration is essential for maximizing lipid yield and achieving high-quality biodiesel from microalgae.