Engineering Commons^™

Extraction Of Astaxanthin From H. Pluvialis Using Deep Eutectic Solvents, Roya Barzegar

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Haematococcus pluvialis (H. pluvialis) is one of the main sources of astaxanthin, a high value carotenoid and a strong antioxidant. Astaxanthin extraction is hindered by the thick cell wall of H. pluvialis which is composed of sporopollenin. Mechanical cell disruption methods, high cost and energy-consuming, are required to enhance astaxanthin extraction. This study employed a novel technology using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) to demonstrate the possibility of direct extraction of astaxanthin without a disruption step. It was established that 68% of astaxanthin can be extracted from intact H. pluvialis cells using choline chloride-glycerol (ChCl-G) mixture with 12.5% (v/v ) water …

Hydrothermal Liquefaction Of Microalgae For The Production Of Bio-Crude Oil, Yulin Hu

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Due to the depletion of fossil fuels and climate change, extensive research has performed towards renewable energy production from microalgal biomass. Microalgae have several inherent benefits, such as high photosynthetic efficiencies, fast growth rates, and high lipid contents. In addition, microalgae can be cultivated in the non-arable lands (e.g., saline and waste water), thereby no competition with food crops production.

Transesterification is the one of commonly used technologies for converting microalgae into liquid bio-fuels (i.e., biodiesel). Normally, an energy-intensive drying step is required in the transesterification treatment, which accounts for nearly half of the energy input. Hence, if “wet” microalgal …