Novel strategy for microalgae cell disruption and wet lipid extraction by employing electro-Fenton process with sacrificial steel anode.

Electro-Fenton process (EFP) was studied as a potential cell disruption technique for recovery of lipids from wet biomass of the microalga Chlorella homosphaera. A novel approach of electrochemical dissolution of a sacrificial steel anode was used to provide Fe required to initiate EFP and microalgae cell disruption. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the process parameters and maximize the lipid yield of EFP.

Wastewater-based microalgal biorefineries for the production of astaxanthin and co-products: Current status, challenges and future perspectives.

The freshwater microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis and Chlorella zofingiensis are attractive biorefinery feedstocks in view of their ability to simultaneously synthesize astaxanthin and other valuable metabolites. Nonetheless, there are concerns regarding the sustainability of such biorefineries due to the high freshwater footprint of microalgae cultivation. The integration of wastewater as an alternative growth media is a promising approach to reduce freshwater demand.