Lipid extraction from Chlorella vulgaris by molten-salt/ionic-liquid mixtures

In this study, lipid extraction from Chlorella vulgaris was performed by using mixtures of molten salt and ionic liquid. The yield-enhancing effects of blending of molten salt with ionic liquid were investigated. Among the three molten salts (Zn(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O, Mg(ClO4)(2)center dot 6H(2)O, and FeCl3 center dot 6H(2)O), FeCl3 center dot 6H(2)O showed a high lipid extraction yield (113.0 mg/g cell) and good reaction performance. When FeCl3 center dot 6H(2)O was mixed with [Emim] OAc (5: 1, w/w), the lipid extraction yield increased to 227.6 mg/g cell, a performance similar to that of single [Emim] OAc (218.7 mg/g cell). When lipid was extracted by the FeCl3 center dot 6H(2)O/[Emim] OAc mixture at a 5: 1 (w/w) blending ratio, 90 degrees C temperature, and 1 h duration, the fatty acid content of the extracted lipid was 981.7 mg/g lipid, indicating less than 2% impurity. The lipid extraction from C. vulgaris was improved by the synergistic effects of molten salt and ionic liquid with different ions. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.