Effect of solvent on the extraction of microalgae lipid for biodiesel production

The effect of solvent on the microalgae lipid extraction was studied. The efficiency of lipid extraction from microalgae was found to differ according to the solvent used. The existence of formic acid contributed to the extraction of lipid to a great extent. With 8 mg/L formic acid existing in the system, the lipid yield and free fatty methyl ester(FAME) yield increased from 39% to 42% and from 81% to 90% respectively compared to the control. The highest lipid yield of 42% was achieved from Chlorella protothecoidesis with an FAME yield of 89% when a mixed solvent of 14 mL/g dichloromethane, 2 mL/g methanol and 4 mL/g formic acid was used.