Comparative Analysis of the Fatty Acid Composition of Microalgae Obtained by Different Oil Extraction Methods and Direct Biomass Transesterification

One of the main challenges for the successful production and use of microalgae for biodiesel production is to obtain a satisfactory level of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The aims of this study are to identify the best method of lipid extraction and provide high FAME levels and to evaluate their fatty acid profiles. Six lipid extraction methodologies in three microalgae species were tested in comparison with the direct transesterification (DT) of microalgal biomass method. The choice of extraction method affected both the oily extract yield and the FAME composition of the microalgae and consequently may affect the properties of biodiesel. The efficiency of different lipid extraction methods is affected by the solvent polarity, which extracts different target compounds from lipid matrix. Dichloromethane/methanol extraction and Folch extraction produced the largest oil extract yields, but extraction with hexane/ethanol resulted in the best ester profile and levels. Performing DT reduces the volume of extractor solvent, the time and cost of FA composition analysis, as well as, presents less steps for fatty acid quantification. DT provided biomass FAME levels of 50.2, 636.4, and 258.2 mg.g−1 in Nannochlorophisis oculata, Chaetoceros muelleri, and Chlorella sp., respectively. On the basis of an analysis of the fatty acids profiles of different species, C. muelleri is a promising microalga for biodiesel production. Depending on the extraction method, Chlorella sp. and N. oculata can be considered as an alternative in obtaining arachidonic (Aa) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids.