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ABSTRACT |
Surfactant-based Extraction of Microalgae Products The aim of this study is a surfactant screening for a potential surfactant-based in situ extraction process of microalgae cultures. The main process requirements are biocompatibility of the surfactant with the microalgae, stable phase separation of the resulting two-phase system, and favorable partitioning of the target substance between the micellar and the aqueous phase. The cloud-point temperature, as well as the biocompatibility of two surfactants (Triton X114 and Tergitol 15S7) with the microalgae was investigated. Both substances were determined as biocompatible. The rapid formation of stable phase interface of the Triton X114 system assured an efficient separation process and substantial preconcentration of the target substances (fatty acid produced by the microalgae) in the surfactant-rich phase. Fatty acid partitioning was predicted using the model COSMO-RS and compared to experimental data. Based on this data, in situ extraction from microalgae culture was designed and tested in pilot scale. The results confirm surfactant-based in situ extraction systems as a feasible alternative to established solvent extraction from dried algal biomass. |
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PRESENTER |
Ralena RACHEVA Ralena Racheva is a PhD student at the “Institute for Thermal Separation Processes” of Hamburg University of Technology. Her focus of study is the simultaneous cultivation and surfactant extraction of valuable products from microalgae. Co-Authors: M. Kerner |
