Effect on the fatty acid profiles of a microalgae strain (Dunaliella tertiolecta) using different lipid extraction techniques

Biodiesel is subject of research because it is less polluting when used in pure form or mixed with petroleum diesel. Microalgae are now a material new in research for mass production of biodiesel, so the techniques used for cell growth, biomass extraction and lipid extraction influence the profile of fatty acids susceptible to transesterification and consequently the quality of biofuel. This work shows the effect on the fatty acid profile of a Dunaliella tertiolecta strain using two lipid extraction techniques. For this, the culture was carried out in the medium F/2, the recovery of the biomass was carried out by sedimentation-flocculation with NaOH and once dry it was subjected to extraction with solvent by Soxhlet and by ultrasound to obtain lipids under the methodology by Bligh & Dyer. The fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography and the profile is made up of saturated-monounsaturated-polyunsaturated fatty acids and shows differences regarding the presence-absence and dry weight content. This represents a contribution to analyze the effect on physicochemical parameters established in Mexican regulations regarding the quality of biodiesel and to determine the potential of the microalgae strain for such production.