Lipids accumulated inside microbial cells (such as fungi, bacteria, yeast, microalgae,
and macroalgae) have to be extracted for production of biodiesel and/or oleochemicals
via thermochemical or thermocatalytic processes. Extraction methods for separation
as well as quantification of lipids from microbes require organic solvents (such as
hexane, methanol, and tetrahydrofuran) and involve multiple unit operations/steps
such as thermal treatment (supercritical CO2 extraction), chemical treatment (acid
or base, enzymes), mechanical operations (such as sonication and ball beating), liquid-solid
separation, liquid-liquid extraction, and gravimetric or chromatographic analysis.
