Nature-inspired Cell Disruption with Algal Viruses for Cost-effective Lipid Extraction from Microalgae
A cost-effective, natural, virus-based method extracts lipids from algae for biofuel and aquaculture, yielding 3-fold higher results than traditional techniques.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new method for using algae in biofuel production. Other technologies such as sonication are often inefficient and costly, and many currently available algae-based processes involve complex lipid-extraction. The method created by Purdue researchers involves a controlled virus-based extraction process where algae can be disrupted in just six days and used to gather lipids from biomass. In testing, lipid yield was found to be 3-fold higher than that of traditional techniques. In addition, this all-natural cost-effective approach to biofuel synthesis shows no signs of lipid disturbance, and allows for easier collection of lipids.
Advantages:
-Cost-efficient
-Natural
-Fast
-Sustainable
Potential Applications:
-Biofuel
-Aquaculture
TRL: 6
Intellectual Property:
Provisional-Patent, 2019-05-16, United States | Utility Patent, 2020-05-15, United States | CON-Patent, 2021-10-01, United States
Keywords: algae biofuel production, lipid extraction, controlled virus-based extraction, biomass lipids, cost-effective biofuel synthesis, microalgae cell disruption, sustainable biofuel, aquaculture, natural extraction method, high lipid yield, Agriculture, Bio fuels, Chemical Engineering, Fuel, fuels, Lipids, Virus