Microalgal fatty acids - From harvesting until extraction (Cap. 16)

Abstract

Microalgal biomass can be "energy rich," but the growth of algae in dilute suspension around 0.02%-0.05% dry solids is a considerable challenge in achieving a viable energy balance in a microalgal biofuel process. Many researchers consider that efficient harvesting is the major challenge of microalgal biofuel commercialization but a single method or combination of harvesting methods suited to all microalgae does not exist. Additionally, lipid extraction continues to be a significant trial even though a multitude of extraction methods, especially in what concerns the presence of residual water in the microalgal biomass; its effects on lipid extraction or the need of cell disruption are still not well understood.In this chapter, these critical points on biofuel production-biomass harvesting and dewatering, biomass pretreatment, and fatty acid extraction methods-will be discussed.