Evaluation of the yield, productivity, and composition of fatty acids methyl esters (FAME) obtained from the lipidic fractions extracted from Chlorella sorokiniana by using ultrasound and agitation combined with solvents

Abstract

Chlorella sorokiana CTT 7727 was cultivated and the accumulated lipids extracted using ultrasound and agitation combined with solvents. The yields of lipids increased with the polarity of the solvent. The obtained yields were 14–16% for a mixture of chloroform and methanol (2:1), 9–15% for methanol, and 5–13% for ethanol. Chloroform and hexane did not surpass 3% of the recovered lipids. Despite the polarity of the solvents affected the yields of lipids, fatty acids methyl ester (FAME) amounts and profiles were similar. C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2 and C18:3 were the FAMEs present in higher contents. C. sorokiniana has predominantly polar lipids, which could be extracted using ethanol. The productivity of lipids extracted did not exceed 5 mg mL⁻¹ h⁻¹ for all methods. The FAMEs have the potential to be used as blends with other biodiesels to increase their properties.

Keywords:

• Cell disruption
• lipid extraction
• microalgae
• transesterification
• biodiesel

Disclosure statement

The authors have declared no conflict of interest