Laboratory extraction of microalgal lipids using sugarcane bagasse derived green solvents

Author(s)

de Jesus, Sergio S. ^[1] ; Ferreira, Gabriela F. ^[1] ; Fregolente, V, Leonardo ; Maciel Filho, Rubens ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Sch Chem Engn, Lab Optimizat Design & Adv Control, PO 6066, BR-13083852 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Fregolente, Leonardo, V, Univ Estadual Campinas, Sch Chem Engn, Lab Optimizat Design & Adv Control, PO 6066, BR-13083852 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS; v. 35, p. 292-300, NOV 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Three green solvents were tested for lipid extraction based on the Bligh and Dyer method. Lipids from the microalgae Chlorella pyrenoidosa were extracted through the tertiary systems 2-methyltetrahydrofuran:isoamylalcohol:water (1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 v/v) and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran:ethanol:water (3:1 v/v). For comparative effect, extractions with chloroform:methanol:water (3:1, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 v/v), with binary systems 2-methyltetrahydrofuran:water, isoamyl alcohol:water, chloroform:water, n-hexane:water, and monophasic systems 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF), isoamyl alcohol, chloroform and n-hexane were used. The Bligh and Dyer method using green solvents was highly efficient, although some undesirable components were extracted, especially when larger volumes of isoamyl alcohol were used. System 2-MeTHF:ethanol:water formed only a biphasic system when it was used in a 3:1 (v/v) proportion, obtaining 64% of fatty acids. The chloroform:methanol (1:2 v/v) system extracted 122.2 +/- 1.9 mg g(-1), in which 92.4% consisted of fatty acids. In systems using green solvents, the extractions with the system 2-MeTHF:isoamyl alcohol (2:1 v/v) achieved a 78% selectivity (99.6 +/- 7.6 mg g(-1) of fatty acids) and an 88.2% efficiency when compared with the reference system chloroform:methanol 1:2 (v/v).The fatty acids profile showed that extractions with 2-MeTHF:isoamyl alcohol had higher percentages of fatty acids with low degree of unsaturation, which is ideal for the production of better quality biodiesel. The results obtained suggest that 2-MeTHF:isoamyl alcohol (2:1 v/v) can replace the chloroform:methanol system currently used. M an industrial level, this system still requires some technical improvements related to the energy expenditure for solvent evaporation, and at an economic level, the high price of the 2-MeTHF makes the process impracticable compared with hexane. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/03764-3 - Design and construction of agitated photobioreactor airlift for lipids and carbohydrates production
• Grantee: Sergio Santos de Jesus
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/19609-0 - Use of green solvents derived from sugarcane in the extraction of lipids and application in the production of biodiesel and synthesis of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran through bagasse
• Grantee: Rubens Maciel Filho
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants