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Callum Russell

Chemical Engineer

Entrepreneur

Public Speaker

Academic & Researcher

Callum Russell

Chemical Engineer

Entrepreneur

Public Speaker

Academic & Researcher

Microalgae Lipid Extraction Using Tertiary Amine’s DMCHA & DIPA

  • Publisher: Biofuels
  • Article Type: Research Article
  • Publication Date: 10 April 2025
  • Theme: Switchable Solvents & Lipids

Abstract

A limited number of studies have investigated microalgae lipid extraction using Switchable Hydrophilicity Solvents (SHS), despite this they have demonstrated high lipid recoveries. This is the first study to investigate the lipid extraction of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic microalgae using N, N-Dimethyl cyclohexylamine (DMCHA) and N, N-Diisopropyl ethanolamine (DIPA). SHS possess the unique ability to reversibly change their hydrophilicity when exposed to an inducer such as CO2, N2, or Argon through a protonation reaction. Five microalgae species were selected for investigation, namely, Botryococcus braunii UTEX 2441, Botryococcus braunii sp., wild Scottish Blue-Green cyanobacteria, Chlorella vulgaris, and Haematococcus pluvialis using the tertiary amines DMCHA and DIPA, with hexane being used as a baseline control. The study has shown DMCHA and DIPA to be efficient solvents for lipid extraction when compared to hexane. DMCHA achieved the highest lipid extraction yields of 56.10 wt% ± 6.66 with B. braunii UTEX 2441 and 45.66 wt% ± 1.68 with C. vulgaris which is a 17.87 and 17.70 wt% increase compared with hexane respectively. DIPA showed a 9.39 wt% increase in lipid yield recovery compared with hexane for Blue-Green cyanobacteriaH. pluvilais was the only species not to achieve higher lipid extraction yields with SHS.

Highlights

  • DMCHA and DIPA proposed for eukaryotic and prokaryotic algae lipid extraction
  • Switchable Hydrophilicity Solvents utilise Van-der Wall forces for lipid extraction
  • Wild Scottish Blue-Green cyanobacteria show high lipid yields using SHS
  • DMCHA is more efficient for lipid extraction in eukaryotic algae compared with DIPA
  • Cultivation conditions and duration greatly impact the quantity of lipids produced

List of Authors

Callum Russell, Cristina Rodriguez